The Iowa Association of FSA County Office Employees

The Iowa Association of FSA County Office Employees
Beauty found in an oddity of nature…..
1
3 From the Desk of Derryl McLaren, Iowa SED
4 NASCOE President Dan Root
5 Looking Back While Looking Ahead- MWA Exec Mark VanHoose
6 President’s Page- Steve Kennedy
7 VP Report Cindy Mensen
8 Greetings From Your Secretary/Treasurer Sue Beemer
9 Meet the Candidates- NASCOE Announcements Bonnie Heinzman For President
10 Myron Stroup for NASCOE Vice President
11 Mark VanHoose for NASCOE Vice President
12 Shelly Odenkirk for Treasurer
13 Mary Johnson for Treasurer
14 Jon Williams for Mid West Area Executive
15 Dee Ann Simmons-Lehn for Alternate Mid West Area Executive
16 Charlene Neukomm for Alternate Mid West Area Executive
17 May Legislative Article by Tammy Eibey, MWA Legislative Committee Chairperson
19 IASCOE Officer’s
20 IASCOE Districts and Director and Alternate Listing by District
21 2007/2008 IASCOE Committee Chairs and Committee Members
22 Past IASCOE Presidents Listing
23 2007 Scholarship Winners- Nicholas Skow and Dan Eibey
24 2007 Scholarship Winners- Jennie Anderson and Matthew Gerlach
25 Scholarship Information- Tom Oasen MWA, Herb Sorley, NASCOE and Cindy Pistek IASCOE
26 Publicity Report- Tammy Eibey
27 IASCOE Membership Report- Daniel Wells
28-33 IASCOE Honorary Life Membership Listing
34 Benefits Report- Dee Ann Simmons-Lehn
35 Emblems Report- the NASCOE store
36 Distinguished Service Award Jean Finch
37 Distinguished Service Award- Rosalyn Kahl
38 Iowa Employee Associations Welcome FSA Administrator- by Tammy Eibey
39 Retirement Notice for Ellen Danner and Honor our Military
40-41 My Big Surprise by Vicky Rechkemmer
42 Jeff Davis CED Plymouth County becomes a Grandpa!
43 Simple T ips to a Slimmer Waist- submitted by Lisa Forburger
44 Embarrassment by Judy Vos
45-47 National Convention Information
48 Mind Games- submitted by Sue Beemer
49 The Challenge submitted by Glenda Von Arb
50 You Grew Up in Iowa If-.submitted by Judy Dameron
51 It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Frog, submitted by Dee Ann Simmons Lehn
52-54 56 Facts about Blood Donations- submitted by T ammy Eibey
55 Iowa FSA Employees who Donate Blood or Platelets
56 Spotlight on Barb Onnen
57-58 Donating Platelets submitted by Judy Dameron
59 Blood Donations by Diane Wise
60 Mind Game Answers
61 E J Brown and Associates Financial Services
62-63 Polly PT Part 22 by Rose Woerner
64-66 Closing Thoughts- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier submitted by Deb Esselman Baird
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FROM THE D ES K OF DERRYL MC LAREN, S ED
As I attempt to pen this message to you, I am at a loss to appropriately describe the first eight
months of this Fiscal Year. Gosh, you mean there are only 4 months left! T hat’s right, folks.
Ever since the improper payments, IPIA, reviews hit last summer, we have been going down a
path, journey, trek, quest, or trip. No, I believe odyssey is a better word, only this one has an end
in sight. August 3 is the scheduled end of our journey to complete DCP sign-up. Yes, we will
finish, and I intend to see to it that we all cross the finish-line together.
We have adjusted our course to compensate for numerous challenges, changes, modifications,
and obstacles. Through it all, we have done our best to provide resources and direction to all of
you in the field. Most recently, we provided human assistance to no less than 30 counties based
upon your stated needs; I trust that it helped. Let me chime-in with a thank you to all of you that
provided assistance to fellow employees by volunteering.
After Memorial Day, I will be interviewing for two DDs (one new district), and assistance of
another kind will be coming for some of you in the form of a new CED. Additionally, we will be
supporting our farm loan staff in the field with the hires of two farm loan officers. The COT s are
certainly looking forward to interviewing, and we have a most deserving group. None of you will
be disappointed with the quality of this class! We have had to struggle without CEDs for too
long, and another thank you to those who filled the voids.
That reminds me, “Where is the Iowa Plan?”. Unlike Charlie Brown waiting for the “ Great
Pumpkin” to appear, there will be an Iowa Plan. The supporting documentation is nearly
complete, and the Executive Summary is a work in progress. Before it is finalized, the contents
will be shared with selected employee leaders (your leaders) for their reaction and input. Then it
will be submitted to D.C. There have been 36 plans filed to date, so we have had adequate
opportunity to assess and apply the criteria being used around the country. Upon review of the
data, Iowa impresses me even more.
There are 4 months left, and we need you to be focused. Acreage certification is dead-ahead, and
with it comes the opportunity to finish signing DCP contracts. We are so fortunate that the
agriculture economy in Iowa is prospering! That fact alone would explain why farmers have
been so understanding and tolerant of our internal controls turmoil. That fact also explains the
healthy financials of farmers in general, and our farm loan portfolio reflects this. You have to
appreciate the atmosphere!
As our odyssey seeks its finish-line, take time to acknowledge the sights and sounds that surround
us in our journey. At the end of the day, it is the producer and the greater community that we
serve, and I know you all have that end in sight.
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NASCOE President, Dan Root
Greeting to all my fellow NASCOE members,
I hope this finds all of you doing well and I sincerely hope you all are making summer plans to spend time
with your family and enjoy some time away from FSA. Believe me there is more to life than FSA. This
will be a very busy summer for NASCOE as the Farm Bill debate takes shape and with the more recent
news of USDA Reorgani zation. The recent news o f USDA reorgani zation has created a big stir among
your NASCOE officers, execs and members alike. But be reassured, everyon e on your NASCOE Board is
on top of this.
The Farm Bill debate is starting to take shape. As of writing this article two titles have been written and
they are moving forward fai rly rapidly. Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Ag Committee has
indicated he wants to have the House version of the farm bill completed by early summer. NASCOE has
identified 4 areas o f importance for us in the farm bill. They are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
NASOCE recommended that Conservation program duties be reassigned. We feel FSA could and
should be the administrative agency for all conserv ation programs. Duties should be assigned
acco rding to expertise. FSA should complete all phases of conservation programs as defined as
administrative and NRCS should do all phases as defined as Technical.
NASCOE supports a moratorium on office closures until one year aft er the enactment o f the new Farm
Bill. This is more evident with the current reorganization announcem ent.
NASCOE supports the elimination of duplication of duties within USDA which will create budget
savings with the department. As an example, there are three agenci es in USDA that gather crop
reports. FSA, RMA and NASS all collect crop reports and by making FSA the sole agency fo r
collecting crop reporting data and other farm related data we can eliminate the duplication of duties
and save USDA limited budget dollars.
NASCOE supports a minimum of 9,800 county offi ce employees and that salaries need to be
designated as a separate line item from expenses in the appropriations process. This may not be
obtainable but we would like to see some kind of process put in place to ensure COF’s are properly
staffed and all dollars appropriated fo r staff are used fo r staff.
The more recent news of USDA reo rganization will be another large undertaking fo r NASCOE. We want
to be on the forefront o f this and not play the sit and wait game. Details at this time are very vague and will
probably stay that way until Congress is done writing the Farm Bill. I personally feel ev erything will be on
the table and everything will be looked at. We need to be prepared and ready to act. NASCOE will be
assembling a working group of NASCOE members very shortly to start the discussions on reorganization.
The recent announcem ent has opened the door for us to be very active and will give us our opportunity to
provide the leaders o f Congress with our ideas.
In closing I would like to thank everyone from Iowa for supporting me over my tenure with NASCOE.
Your support means a lot to me and with out it, it would be impossible to do this job. I hope to see all of
you in Myrtle Beach, SC for the Annual NASCOE Convention. The folks in SC have a great convention
planned and will be fun fo r all!
Take care and God Bless.
Daniel L. Root
NASCOE President
4
LOOKING BACK WHILE LOOKING AHEAD!
As we head into another national convention I realize my second and final term as Midwest Area
Executive is coming to a close. It seems like yesterday that Chris Hollis was resigning and my
decision was needed to jump in the race for area exec. It has been a very rewarding year and yet
frustrating as well. I do want to encourage each of you to consider a future leadership position in
this great organization of ours! I look at the victories like stopping FSA Tomorrow and take
some pride in being a part of that. Then I consider the battles we lost such as staffing levels and I
want to continue that fight. But that is part of the fun I guess and it will be with a glad heart and
some sadness as I pass the baton on to the next exec.
As you are aware there are many challenges ahead making for exciting times. The new farm bill
offers opportunities for expanded roles in new programs. NASCOE and FSA offer some real
opportunities to deliver programs at a reasonable cost to taxpayers and this gives us some
goodwill in the halls of Congress as they strive to save money. The recent talk of USDA
reorganization causes us some concern but we need to also look at this as an opportunity to shine
as a model for USDA service. NASCOE is already working to protect your interests in this area
by establishing a task force to anticipate answers to Congressional questions and proposals.
Conservation, crop insurance and animal identification are all areas that FSA is being considered
for providing service to producers and other agencies. So I encourage you to take heart in
realizing that change is always with us and that some change can be good! Let’s be sure that we
keep NASCOE strong so that it remains a force in making positive changes!
I want to take a moment to thank the Iowa association for your support in making my Area
Executive tenure so successful. Your strong membership, support from your leadership and the
contributions of those Iowans serving as area chairs has been very important to me. Another
group I need to thank is the Program Technicians I serve with in the Brown County FSA Office in
Georgetown, Ohio. They keep getting the work done in a professional manner as I traipse across
the country on NASCOE business. T hank you Linda Whalen (recently retired), Vicki Vogel,
Denice Simpson, Marguerite Ernst and Vivian Stratton for taking care of business!
And last but not least thanks to my lovely wife Holly and kids Sharlee and Aaron for their
undying support! Thanks for putting up with me.
It’s time to wrap up this article and my career as an area executive for this great organization. No
matter what the future holds for me I am satisfied with the run and I appreciate the opportunity to
serve my fellow members. I know I am leaving the Midwest Area in great hands and I am sure
that bigger and better things are ahead. I am excited about the possibilities for the future as I run
for my next office. I will still be working on the Program Technician classification task force and
I am feeling positive about this endeavor. So I will continue to serve and look forward to
working with you.
Thanks again!
Mark VanHoose, MWA Executive
5
Who am I an d Why am I Here?
By: S teve Kennedy
IAS COE President
Perhaps some of you may remember these words from Admiral
James Stockdale. For those of you who don’t, he was Ross Perot’s
running mate in the 1992 Presidential election. He became infamous
when his first words during the first debate were “Who am I and
Why am I here?” The following weekend the TV show Saturday
Night Live aired a skit of the debate which portrayed Admiral
Stockdale as a poor lost and confused elderly man. While that
unfortunate image stuck with him throughout the remainder of the
campaign, I think the questions he raised were valid. As your newly
elected IASCOE president, some of you may be asking these same
questions.
Ok, ‘Who am I”? Well many of you already know me since I have been around nearly 25 years as
the Jasper County CED (I have actually been around 29 years when my time with the Farmer’s
Home Administration is included). M y wife and I grew up in Sac City; a small town in Northwest
Iowa and were high school sweethearts. We both graduated from ISU and we will have been
married for 30 years in August. Our 3 children are now married - all within the last 3 years. So I
guess that makes us happily married and happily broke empty nesters!!
Now “Why am I here?” or to rephrase the question “Why am I your IASCOE president?”
First, let me make it very clear that I consider it a real privilege to serve as your president. The key
word is “serve”. I feel my responsibility - and I take it seriously - is to carry out the desires of the
membership. M embership is the lifeblood of IASCOE / NASCOE. Your active participation is
vital to the success of this organization. I will say over and over, again and again, thank you for
being a member. Secondly, I have a deep appreciation for the NASCOE organization. Not only
for what it has done for us in the past - which is plenty- , but also for what it can achieve in the
future. I think that as FSA employees we are facing a very uncertain time. It is imperative that
NASCOE remain strong. So why am I here? Because you are here or better yet, we are here. We
have a job to do and only by working together can we accomplish the task before us. I look
forward to working with all of you. Please feel free to give me a call and let me know your
concerns.
The Plan -- Before I conclude, I want to make a few comments on what I refer to as “The Plan”.
When FSA Tomorrow was withdrawn, Administrator, Teresa Lasseter, directed each SED to
“conduct an independent local-level review of the efficiency and effectiveness of FSA offices to
identify the optimum network of facilities, staffing, training, and technology within existing
budgetary resources and staff ceilings.” Unlike the ill-fated FSA Tomorrow national plan, this
review is to be state driven. To date, Iowa has not submitted a plan. In my conversations with
SED, Derryl M cLaren, he has stated that he hopes to submit a plan for Iowa in the near future. He
also has assured me that he wants to receive input from various interested groups - including
IASCOE. I very much appreciate this sentiment from our SED, because quite frankly, this has not
been true in several states. I look forward to IASCOE being a part of this important process. I
promise to keep you informed as we proceed.
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I’m Cindy Mensen, CED from (beautiful) Clayton County and your new
IASCOE Vice President. It is an honor to become one of your officers and I
will do my best to stand strong for employee needs and to represent Iowa
proudly.
Some of you may wonder how the IASCOE and NASCOE organization is
structured. The Iowa Association of State and County Office Employees
(IASCOE) is divided into 9 districts. There are two directors and two
alternates from each district (CED and PT ) and they are elected for a twoyear term. Each year at the annual convention, the directors meet to vote for
the roles of President, Vice-President and Secretary. The directors meet as a
group at least three times a year and represent you at meetings with the State
Office, other state and area conventions, as well as conducting visits with Senators and Representatives and
their aides. Directors and other FSA employees are sometimes called on to be an active legislative contact—
which may lead to a trip to Washington DC for a Legislative Conference. In addition to this, each IASCOE
district also selects committee representatives for Awards/ Scholarships, Legislative/Benefits, Membership
and Publicity. There is also a Programs Chairperson who accepts suggestions for Program or Forms
improvements and forwards the great ideas to NASCOE leadership through the Program Committee.
IASCOE also has people who get us excited about merchandise (Emblems), CAP WIZ and even
photographers looking for a “ scoop”. Serving on a district committee or as a director is a great way to
become a little more active in IASCOE and provide a great service to your fellow employees.
NASCOE membership is strictly voluntary. There are over 10502 eligible county FSA employees (CO and
GS), and more than 85 percent are members. Each state has an independent state organization. These state
associations are affiliated with the national organization (NASCOE). As a nation, NASCOE is divided into
five areas. We are members of the Midwest Area—which includes the eight states of Minnesota, Iowa,
Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Each area has an elected Area Executive Committeeperson
and Alternate Area Executive Committeeperson as well as Area Chairpersons for the following committees:
AWARDS, BENEFIT S, EMBLEMS, LEGISLAT IVE, MEMBERSHIP, NEGOT IATIONS, PUBLICITY,
PROGRAM S, SCHOLARSHIP, and WEBMAST ER.
These same committees also have representatives at the National level—and we elect national officers at the
National Convention—each state sends delegates so that our voices are heard. With all the legislative action
of a new Farm Bill, this proves to be an important time to speak up. Remember that signing up for CAPWIZ
will keep you close to the action and a vital part of our ability to make a difference.
All of these people who have accepted these roles are FSA County Office employees—PT ’s, FLO’s, CED’s
just like you and me. T hey “ spend” annual leave and off-work hours working for NASCOE and continue to
represent the county office employees of FSA. NASCOE’s objectives are:
(1) To assist in every way possible to assure successful operation of the Farm Service
Agency and the attainment of the agency's objectives,
(2) To cooperate with common interest groups and organizations to conserve and
improve our nation's natural resources,
(3) To secure equitable salaries, working conditions, and retirement provisions for all
county office employees, and
(4) To promote professionalism of our workers.
I believe in the IASCOE/NASCOE organization and certainly encourage all of you to join. Get in on the
early bird deal and sign-up by June 15 th! I look forward to serving you as your Vice President and invite you
to contact me with your concerns, comments and suggestions on how this organization can provide the best
service possible to all FSA county office employees.
7
Greetings from your Secretary/Treasurer.
Greetings! We have had about every type of spring weather you can
imagine. The farmers in our area are getting close to finishing up
planting. In the month of June we will be certifying plus signing DCP
contracts on those who have neglected to do that. Everyone in the
office usually dreads certification except me and I can’t because it is
my program!!! I did get them to admit it wasn’t as bad as eligibility
review.
June also brings IASCOE dues enrollment. For a very small amount
of your paycheck, you can be a member of an organization that is truly
working for you. With the formation of the new Farm Bill, FSA needs
a strong voice in Washington. IASCOE/NASCOE, through our
support, has the ability to be involved in this process. Our
membership climbed to 90% for 2006-07 and it would be great if we
could gain even more for 2007-08. If you know someone who isn’t a member of IASCOE you
need to take the time to explain the benefits of membership. Sometimes all it takes is a personal
invitation to join.
I have taken enough of your time and I hope you have a great summer with family and friends. I
want to leave you with the following story because a lot of times we don’t appreciate what we
have in life.
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm
purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. T hey spent a couple of days and nights on
the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from the trip, the father asked his son, “ How was the trip?” “It was great, Dad.”
“ Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh Yeah” said the son. So what did
you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “ I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches
to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of
land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.”
With this the boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “T hanks dad for showing me how
poor we are.”
Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don’t have. What is one
person’s worthless object is another’s prize possession. It is all based on one’s perspective.
Sue Beemer
IASCOE Secretary/Treasurer
T aylor County
8
Bonnie Heinzman
for
NASCOE President
Fellow NASCOE M embers:
I w ould like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the position of NASCOE P resident. It has
been my priv ilege to be inv olved in NASCOE over the past several years. At this time I know that I am
prepared, committed, yet humbled, by the prospect of serving our association and its members as
P resident.
S ixteen years ago I became an employee of ASCS and a member of NASCOE. Three years later I became an
officer in my state association and quickly became inv olved on the national level. Although I’v e been
involv ed in NASCOE and WVASCOE for many years and have held many offices in both, it wasn’t until tw o
years ago w hen I ran for V ice P resident that I actually pondered the idea of someday running for the office
of NASCOE P resident. Although it wasn’t my intention as I look back at the course of my “career” in
NASCOE I believe I’ve been preparing all along the way.
My “career” w ith NASCOE includes serv ing as V ice P resident, S ecretary, and A cting Secretary /Treasurer
during C harlotte’s illness, NEA E xec, Area Awards C hair, and N egotiation Consultant. Over the years I’ve also
held ev ery office in my state association, and served as the NASCOE representative on various task forces.
It is safe to say that I know the association and it’s workings on many different lev els.
This experience has enabled me to build w orking relationships w ith many NASCOE members around the
country , WDC management, our Legislativ e C onsultants, our attorney, and many others. I strive to foster
legislativ e contacts on the H ill and w ith our coalition groups. I also have the support of my SED , my offices,
and most importantly , my family in this endeavor.
FSA and NASCOE face several big challenges and opportunities in the upcoming months and years such as
the F arm Bill, Office C losings, continuing IPEA rev iew s, ov erhaul of IT, and many other issues. The leader of
our employee association must hav e the desire, commitment, experience, and leadership skills, KSA ’s if you
w ill, to effectiv ely guide us through the next tw o y ears. I believe I have those qualities and I hope you
agree. One other ingredient is critical in making any NASCOE P resident successful is y ou – the membership.
Without y ou there is no NASCOE. I humbly ask for your support and belief in me to become the next
NASCOE P resident! I would be happy to discuss my candidacy or any other NASCOE issues at any time.
Bonnie Heinzman
C ontact Information: bheinzman@suddenlink.net
(304) 266-2480 cell
(304) 758-2351 X100 (Tuesday, Wed., and Friday )
(304) 242-0576 X118 (M onday and Thursday )
9
Myron Stroup
for
NASCOE Vice President
I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the position of NASCOE Vice
President. I have given this decision much thought; have visited with my wife and family, office
staff, SED, and others, and have their support.
For those who don’t know me I would like to give you a brief work/NASCOE history. I started
with ASCS/FSA in July 1982 and was selected as CED in my present county office in Jan 1983,
the first day of PIK signup. I have been in shared management, with two County Offices since
December 2002. I have been a member of NASCOE since first employed. My wife and I raised 3
children which kept me busy in their activities. Since they are now grown, I turned my attention
to my State and National organizations to give of my time to repay those who gave before me and
for those benefits that I have appreciated during my employment.
I have served as Director of my State Association for the past 6 years and as Legislative Chair for
5 of those years. During this time I also served as Southwest Area Legislative Chair, 3 years;
Alternate Area Executive Committeeperson, 2 years; and am currently serving as Southwest Area
Executive Committeeperson.
The members of NASCOE are very important to me, as well as, the services we provide to our
customers. We have undergone a great deal of change in our business processes since 1982, and it
will continue to evolve. If elected to this position, I will continue, to the best of my ability, to
represent the members of this organization and be as proactive as possible in the changes which
affect our membership. With your help we will be successful.
Each NASCOE office requires a certain level of commitment be made by the candidate, and I am
willing to make that commitment. I will welcome any and all discussions and/or questions from
you in regards to my announcement for this position. I ask for your support in electing me to the
position of NASCOE Vice President at the 2007 National NASCOE Convention in Myrtle Beach,
SC.
Myron Stroup H: (913) 757-4521
11238 W 2200 RD W: (913) 294-3751
Fontana , Ks. 66026 crf@peoplestelecom.net
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare”
10
Mark VanHoose
for
NASCOE Vice President
Dear NASCOE friends,
I am taking this opportunity to announce that I am a candidate fo r the offi ce o f NASCOE Vice President.
While it has been a circuitous journey to arrive at this point, I am excited and energized by the challenge o f
serving you, my fellow members, in this office. I think the challenges we face are greater than they have
ever been but I am confident NASCOE will prevail in each hurdle and I very much want to be a part of
achieving our goals and repres enting your concerns.
From my own perspective I see several issues for NASCOE in the coming years. As always, the legislative
front offers a number o f concerns. We continue to balance the need for more staffing with our message of
being the “ can do” agency. We need to weigh carefully any additional programs without the promise of
additional staffing. I also see a need to remember our roots concerning why our organization was form ed.
As Title 5 exempt employees, management has much control and capability to make changes in our
personnel system. NASCOE is the only body that monitors management to make sure they provide fair
treatment to CO employees in dealing with workplace issues. And lastly but most important, I want to
stress how important it is to communicate with you on a regular basis the work that your leadership is doing
fo r you. I also am very open to listening to your concerns becaus e NASCOE belongs to you and I never
fo rget that important aspect of this work. I have a strong track reco rd in keeping members informed o f the
happenings of NASCOE in each o f the offi ces in which I have served this organization. The
communication and outreach effort is very important to me and this is your organization so you need to be
inform ed! I also think it is important to set a few cl ear goals and work to achieve those as we also fight the
fires that spring up in the day to day management of our organization.
My NASCOE and FSA experience has prep ared me well for the office o f Vice President. I have been with
FSA as a CED for 22 years in Brown County, Ohio. I have served as a shared management CED and know
that experience as well. I have served as President of the Ohio Association and continue to serve in that
role. I have also been national chair or co-chai r of the Legislative Committee for three years and I am
currently in my second year as Midwest Area Executive. I have also served as a negotiation consultant and
I am currently leading NASCOE’s task force for PT classification.
I have the support of my family and staff as I enter this challenge. It is not one I consider lightly as I fully
recognize all that is required to serve in this position. I appreciat e all those who have served before me and
it would be a great honor to continue this tradition of service and so I ask fo r your support as a candidate
fo r NASCOE Vice President.
Sincerely,
Mark VanHoose
11
Shelly Odenkirk
for
NASCOE Treasurer
Hello! My name is Shelly Odenkirk, and I wanted to introduce myself as I am running for
NASCOE T reasurer this year.
I am a 22 year member of OASCOE/NASCOE, and am currently the NASCOE National Program
Committee Chair. By being Program Chair, I attend the NASCOE organizational meeting, prenegotiation meeting, negotiation meeting, and National Convention, so I have a good idea of how
these meetings run and what is expected of the Treasurer. My duties as Program Chair include
taking program suggestions on procedure and software efficiency from members to program
heads in WDC, and meeting individually with these program heads during the negotiation session
to discuss current program issues. Over the past two years I have built a good working
relationship with these folks.
I have a good working relationship with the current Executive Committee including the Vice
President and Secretary and feel I could easily work with them in the future.
Prior to this, I was MWA Membership Chair for 3 years, OASCOE President for 2 years, as well
as 1st and 2nd Vice President of OASCOE. I was also honored to be Co-Chairman of the 2006
National NASCOE Convention in Cleveland, for which I developed the budget and kept track of
all expenses and income to make sure the budget was followed.
My educational background will be of great value to me in the position if I am privileged to be
elected as your next NASCOE T reasurer. I have a BA in Agricultural Economics from Ohio
State, and interned with The Federal Land Bank prior to graduation (no – it was not my fault they
are no longer in existence!!) This education and work experience developed my deep respect for
the value of comprehensive budgets, audits of financial records, and the need for following
accepted accounting standards.
I very much appreciate your consideration of me as a candidate for an officer position of
NASCOE.
Shelly Odenkirk
12
Mary Johnson
for
NASCOE Treasurer
Hi – please allow me to introduce myself. My name is M ary Johnson. I am currently the
CED in Jerauld County, South Dakota and I’ve been with the ASCS/FSA agency since
1988 – gosh, has it really been 18 years??
On the day that I signed the Enter on Duty forms, I wrote out my first check to become a
NASCOE member. I truly believe that for 18 years, it has been some of the best money
I’ve spent. NASCOE has been very much a part of my life and I plan to continue my
involvement.
From 2002 until 2005, my main focus was centered on the NASCOE “THE SD HILLS
WILL COM E ALIVE IN 2005” national convention. During that period I served as
SDASCOE President, Convention Bid Chair, and then as Convention Chairperson.
Throughout my career, I have attended 18 SDASCOE state conventions, 15 NW Area
Rallies and 15 NASCOE Conventions. I have participated in the Legislative Conference
five times.
I’ve decided it is time to jump in and become involved at the national level. I truly
believe that a NASCOE position requires a commitment be made by a candidate, and I
pledge to you my commitment.
With that, I am excited to announce my Candidacy for the position of NASCOE
Treasurer.
M ary Johnson
13
Jon Williams
for
Midwest Area Executive Committeeperson
Hello I am Jon Williams and I am a candidate for M idwest Area Executive. I am
currently serving my second year as the M idwest Area Alternate.
I have been a NASCOE member and CED in Wisconsin for more than 20 years. I have
served as President of the Wisconsin Association for almost six years. I have also
represented Wisconsin at six Legislative Conferences and five National Conventions as a
delegate. I have also represented NASCOE at four state conventions as the alternate when
the Area Executive could not attend. The opportunity to work with the Executive Board
as a second year alternate gave me a feeling of how the NASCOE Executives, Officers,
and Committee chairs must work together. It also gave me a feeling of the challenges that
are ahead for us as an association.
During this critical time for FSA and NASCOE, the Executive Board will need to work
as one unit and be united in the decisions that are made by the board. We do not need
unanimous agreement but we need unanimous support of the decision. Each are will have
its own concerns and needs and it will be up to the new executives and officers to take the
concerns and needs and make decisions that are in the best interest for all NASCOE
members and the future of the Farm Service Agency
I feel I can express opinions that will represent the M idwest. I am willing to listen and
won’t be afraid to raise issues that may not be popular if need be. I will do my very best
to delivery the Area message to the other executives and the officers. It will be an area
message, not my message so I will continue to need everyone’s input I will greatly
appreciate everyone’s support as M idwest Area Executive and will be honored to
represent the great M idwest as the Executive if given the opportunity.
Sincerely,
Jon Williams
14
Dee Ann Simmons Lehn
for
Midwest Area Alternate Executive Committeeperson
I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the position of Midwest Area Altern ate
Executive Chairperson (wo w, now that’s a mouth full isn’t it!) and to tell you all a bit about myself in the
process.
I have been a member o f NASCOE since I started working with this agency almost 22 years ago. I recently
completed a 2-year term as the president of the Iowa associ ation and am currently serving as the Midwest
area Benefits Chairperson. In the past few years, I have had the opportunity to serve as a delegate to
national conventions and Midwest area rallies as well as attending several conventions hosted by the other
Midwestern states. I have also had the honor of representing Iowa at a 3 legislative conferences.
My career with FSA started with a temporary position delineating new maps. I was later hired as a program
technician and 4 years ago was hired as the CED in Keokuk County, Iowa after completing a 10 month
COT program. My diversified background with FSA has provided me with experience and insight at all
levels of CO employment.
I would like to use this experience and insight I’ve gained over the years with FSA and NASCOE to
represent the needs and concerns of the Midwest area. It would be an honor to serve as the Midwest Area
Alternate Executive Chairperson. I humbly ask for your support and your vote.
I’ve heard it said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it!” Working together we can creat e a
bright future for NASCOE and the employees this association represents.
15
Charlene Neukomm
For
Midwest Area Alternate Executive Committeeperson
Dear NASCOE Friends,
I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am a candidate for Alternate Midwest
Area Exec.
I sincerely feel that NASCOE is the backbone for FSA employees. While FSA has been
challenged with staffing, budgetary, and program issues, we are still known as the “ Can Do”
Agency. In order to maintain this status, keeping an open avenue for Employee-Agency
communication is a must. NASCOE is the reason this important communication is possible.
NASCOE has continuous contact with agency personnel in WDC. With issues including
administration of the upcoming Farm Bill, providing fair and equal treatment of CO employees,
staffing, program, and budgetary issues, it is now more important than ever that your NASCOE
leadership stays on the front line, keeping the lines of communication open with both our
Congressional and FSA leadership. It is my intent to keep the lines of communication open to
you, the members. This is your association, and you need to know what it is doing for you.
I have been a Program Technician in the Iroquois County, Illinois FSA office for 20 years this
year. I serve in my district as the Conservation Advisory Contact. I am serving my third year as
the secretary-treasurer for the Illinois Association. I served as the MWA Negotiation Consultant
this year, and will serve Illinois as a delegate to the National Convention for the third year this
year.
I look forward to the challenges ahead. I would appreciate your support as I seek the office for
Alternate Midwest Area Exec.
Respectfully,
Charlene Neukomm
16
May Legislative Article
Tammy Eibey, MWA Legislative Chairperson
Hello NASCOE! Spring and good weather has finally reached my area in the Midwest and the
tractors are going full speed in the fields. The producers are planting the seeds of hope and
prosperity across rural America. In a week or two there will be standing room only in the
County FSA Offices as the farmers request our services that they have been so used to us
providing. We need to remember that we are there to provide service to our producers in an
accurate and efficient manner. We need to stay positive even in the age of the CHECKLIST!
The Legislative Committee and NASCOE Officers recently worked on an Action Alert and
Message that was 1 st sent to the members of the House and Senate Ag Committees. It was then
posted a day later so that all members would receive the letter as well. This was done at the
recommendation of NASCOE’s Legislative Consultant, Robert Redding. When alerts are sent out
on Cap Wiz, the goal is to take action within 72 hours of the alert going out. We have several
reasons why we need to do this, usually Congress may be having a hearing, there could be a
committee meeting on a subject important to NASCOE, or Congress could be taking a vote.
Timing is everything at times. The latest action alert was very important since it stated NASCOE’s
position on FSA’s role in the next Farm Bill. We need to be more proactive in this matter since
this will determine much of the future for FSA and our County office employees/members. We
sent over 2000 letters when we posted the Alert and message in regards to the FSA Tomorrow
plan...We should be able to hit the hill hard with NASCOE's letter on the important role FSA
county offices should have in the next Farm Bill.
I want to share with all of you information regarding CAP WIZ. As of today, May 25, 2007, we
have 2355 subscribed users. Since January 1 st we have added 381 new members to NASCOE’s
CAP WIZ. Also in that same time, we have posted 6 alerts and messages! We had 8367 messages
sent by subscribers! I bring this to your attention since the NASCOE subscription to CAP WIZ will
expire September 27, 2007. The cost of renewal will need to be weighed with the benefits and
effectiveness of being able to send 8367 a united NASCOE message quickly to get the attention
of our Congressional members.
Since September 1, 2006 we have sent 8367 messages on the following topics:
Office Closure Language in the Appropriation Bill
Letter to Congress on Staffing and Improper Payment Issues
NASCOE’s response to IT issues
Whistleblower Protection
Support of Thune Senate Bill 944
Support of Herseth House Bill 1649
NASCOE’s position on FSA’s role in the Farm Bill
NASCOE’s support of Congressman Space’s Conservation Efficiency Legislation
17
I have been in contact with our CAP WIZ account manager and below are the listed costs of
renewal that are available:
1 year $6,000
2 years $11,400 (5% discount already included)
3 years $16,200 (10% discount already included)
As you think about how to vote on the future of CAP WIZ to NASCOE, think of this…before CAP
WIZ did NASCOE have the tools and means to get 8367 messages to Congress this quickly by
members in all states with a united message?
I have also revised a spread sheet from Frank Bender showing membership data from April. I
have used this to then add the CAP WIZ numbers by state and area as well and the % of
membership based on the numbers of members in each state. It is very interesting. It is a large
file so if you would like to see the comparison, just ask and I will forward to you. a copy. I plan
on keeping it up to date with Frank’s membership numbers and current CAP WIZ subscriber
numbers as well. Here is a brief summary by area:
All Subscribers / CO
members
25 May 07
Area
Number
NEA
SEA
MWA
NWA
SWA
TOTAL
District of
Columbia
121
604
795
371
462
2353
% of
members
5.14%
25.65%
33.76%
15.75%
19.62%
2 .08%
2355 100%
As always you need to keep in mind the other Legislative items that NASCOE is working on at the
present time. We remain involved in and working hard on the NASCOE PAC and NASCOE
Coalition Partnerships. Plus we are always keeping track of bills that affect our benefits. If you
would like more information on these topics, I do have brochures on each topic or you may
contact your Area Legislative Chair. Please continue to build and maintain your relationships
with your Congressional Members and their staffs in DC and in the local offices. Our grass root
approach is highly effective!
Also, as a reminder, I sent a request out on CAP WIZ asking for you to let me know of any
response or feedback you receive from you Congressman. Please keep letting me know, I am
compiling a list and will write up a report. I can also adjust CAP WIZ messages based on your
responses.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Tammy Eibey
18
2007/2008 IASCOE OFFICERS
President
S teve Kennedy
CED Jasper County
Vice-President
Cindy Mensen
CED Clayton County
19
Secretary/Treasurer
Sue Beemer
PT Taylor County
IASCOE DISTRICTS
2007/2008 IASCOE DISTRICT DIRECTORS and ALTERNATES
District
P.T. Director
C.E.D. Director
1
Glenda VonArb - S ioux
Alt - Nancy Heideman - Clay
Jeff Davis - Plymouth
Alt - Larry Lago - Dickinson
2
Cindy Pistek - Hancock
Alt - Jeanine Diekhuis - Hancock
S teve Abbas - Franklin
Alt - John Bahnsen - Floyd
3
Tammy Eibey - Delaware
Alt - Karen McNeil - Winneshiek
Cindy Mensen - Clayton
Alt - Kevin Keegan - Buchanan
4
Debi Ostrander - Greene
Alt - Mary Lageschulte - Ida
John Landgraf - S ac
Alt - Pat Warmbier - Harrison
5
Chris Grieder - Polk
Alt - Teresa Heck - Polk
S teve Kennedy - Jasper
Alt - Bob Wegand - Grundy
6
Jessica Yuska - S cott
Alt - Carma Reiss - Benton
Tom Lane - Jackson
Alt - Randy Madsen - Muscatine
7
Sue Beemer - Taylor
Alt - Cindy Bebout - Fremont
Dan Wells - Adair
Alt - Julie Hall - East Pottawattamie
8
Sharon Dunfee - Clarke
Alt - Patsy Bence - Madison
Kelly Cain - Madison
Alt - Joyce Frost - Wayne
9
Judy Dameron - Louisa
Alt - Dawn S tewart - Henry
Dee Ann Lehn - Keokuk
Alt - John Bartenhagen - Louisa
20
2007/2008 IASCOE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Legislative
Steve Abbas, CED Franklin County
Office- 641-456-2561
Fax: 641-546-3762
Email: steve.abbas@ia.usda,gov
Benefits
Jeff Davis, CED Plymouth County
Office: 712-546-4178
Fax: 712-546-5187
Email: Jeff.davis@ia.usda.gov
M embership
Dan Wells - CED Adair County
Office: 641-343-7033
Fax: 641-743-2017
Email: daniel.wells@ia.usda.gov
Publicity
Tammy Eibey - FLPO Delaware County
Home: 563-927-6849
Office: 563-927-4250
Fax: 563-927-4535
Email: tammy.eibey@ia.usda.gov
Scholarship
Cindy Pistek - PT Hancock County
Office: 641-923-3666
Fax: 641-923-3660
Email: cindy.pistek@ia.usda.gov
Awards
Tom Lane, CED Jackson County
Office: 563-652-3237
Fax: 563-652-4889
Email: tom.lane@ia.usda.gov
Programs
Sharon Dunfee. PT Osceola County
Office: 712-754-2587
Fax: 712-754-2336
Email: sharon.dunfee@ia.usda.gov
2007/2008 IASCOE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
District 1
District 2
Awards/Scholarship: Larry Lago - Dickinson
Publicity: Nancy Heideman - Clay
M embership: Tammy Pruin - Sioux
Benefits/Legislative: Steve Olson - Osceola
Awards/Scholarship: Jeanine Diekhuis - Hancock
Publicity: Lisa Forburger - Kossuth
M embership: Vicki Pederson - Floyd
Benefits/Legislative: David Stromer - Kossuth
District 3
District 4
Awards/Scholarship: Rose Woerner-Black Hawk
Publicity: Connie Straw - Howard
M embership: Sheri Rodman - Clayton
Benefits/Legislative: Karen M cNeil - Winneshiek
District 5
Awards/Scholarship: Denise Dugan, Woodbury
Publicity: Leslie Feekes-Crawford County
M embership: Cathleen “Skip” Borst, Carroll
Benefits/Legislative: Pat Warmbier - Harrison
District 6
Awards/Scholarship: Twyla Brede - Dallas
Publicity: Kitty Benda - M arshall
M embership: Rodney Biensen - Story
Benefits./Legislative: Teresa Simonton Poweshiek
Awards/Scholarship: Angie Barnes - M uscatine
Publicity: Betty Williams - M uscatine
M embership: Carma Reiss - Benton
Benefits/Legis.: Randy M adsen - M uscatine/Scott
District 7
District 8
Awards/Scholarship: Phyllis Reineke - Taylor
Publicity: Carole Dawson - Taylor
M embership: Jolene Fechter - Page
Benefits/Legislative: Cindy Bebout - Fremont
Awards/Scholarship: Dave Wynn - M onroe
Publicity: Rhonda Cooper - Union
M embership: M arla M orlan, M onroe
Benefits/Legislative: Linda Carson - Clarke
21
District 9
IASCOE Webmaster
Awards/Scholarship: Carol Long - M ahaska
Publicity: Anna Hornbaker, Van Buren
M embership: Cynde Briggs - M ahaska
Benefits/Legislative: John Bartenhagen - Louisa
Brian Beach - Sac County
Office: 712-662-7159
FAX: 712-662-3263
Email: webmaster@iascoe.org
PAST IASCOE PRESIDENTS
1959-61 Kenneth Hatcher
1961-62 Raymond D Vanderhorst
1962-63 Luther Stock
1963-64 William H Holiday
1964-65 Charles Bacon
1965-66 Gaylor A Thayer
1966-67 V. Deane Thornton
1967-68 Marguerite Liddle
1969-70 Warner C Walrath
1970-71 Janet Hemm
1971-72 Carl Lantz
1972-74 James A Riekens
1974-76 Cecil F Zollars
1977-79 Garnita Ewart
1979-80 John Ace Parker/Gary Brewer
1980-82 Gary Brewer
1982-84 Larry Niles
1984-86 Joe McLaughlin
1986-87 Pat Drew / Ronald Parker
1987-88 Mike Houston
1988-90 Ronald Reuvers
1990-92 Steve Abbas
1992-94 Kevin Fitzpatrick
1994-95 Jerry Frank
1995-97 Kevin McClure
1997-99 Jolene Fechter
1999-01 Trice Smith
2001-03 John Landgraf
2003-05 Tom Lane/Alan Donaldson/John
Landgraf
2005-07- Dee Lehn
2007- Steve Kennedy
22
Nicholas Skow is a 2007 scholarship winner from Humboldt, Iowa
Nicholas is the son of Rick and JoAnn Skow. Nicholas’ mother, JoAnn, is a Program
Technician in the Humboldt County Office. Nicholas has one brother, Dustin.
Nicholas Attends Humboldt High Schools and currently has a GPA of 3.7. Nicholas plans to
attend the University of Iowa this fall and intends to pursue a degree in accounting.
Nicholas’ hobbies include sports, music and cars.
Daniel Eibey is a 2007 scholarship winner from M anchester, Iowa.
Daniel is the son of Chris and Tammy Eibey. Daniel’s mother, Tammy, is a Loan Officer in
the Delaware County Office. Daniel has three siblings; Keith, Audrey and Allison.
Daniel is a 2004 graduate of West Delaware High School and is currently attending Iowa State
University in Ames. Daniel is studying Agronomy with a current college grade point of 3.75.
Daniel’s hobbies include fishing at the farm ponds and camping at the cabin, sports, activities
with the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and working with his beef cows and calves.
23
Jennie R. Anderson is a 2007 scholarship winner from Waterville, Iowa.
Jennie is the daughter of Bruce and Lynn Anderson. Jennie’s mother, Lynn, is a Program
Technician in the Allamakee County Office. Jennie has one brother, Ian.
Jennie attends Waukon High School and has a GPA of 3.7Jennie plans to attend Rochester
Community and Technical College and the M ayo College this fall. Jennie intends on pursuing
a degree in radiology.
Jennie’s hobbies include cheerleading, speech team, FBLA, SADD, school musicals and plays,
choir, school newspaper and being a Sunday School teacher.
Matthew Gerlach is a 2007 scholarship winner from M aquoketa, Iowa.
M att is the son of Paul and Sandra Gerlach. His mother , Sandra, is a program technician in the
Jackson County Office. M atthew has one sister, M issy.
M att attends M aquoketa High School and currently has a GP of 3.2. M att plans to attend the
University of Wisconsin, Platteville this fall and pursue a degree in A g Business/Animal
Science.
M att’s hobbies include sports, farming, hunting, camping and trail riding.
24
MWA Scholarship Award Winner Announcement
Hello everyone.
I wanted to let all of you know that I notified our MWA Scholarship winner this afternoon.
This year’s winner is, Bridgette Ann Terrell. Bridgette is from New Vienna, Ohio. Her mother is a Program Technician at
the Fayette County FSA Office. Bridgette's Father is a self employed Farmer. Bridgette is a student at the Kettering
College of Medical Arts currently enrolled in the Radiological Technology program. She has been interested in the medical
field since preschool.
Thank you all very much for the hard work and dedication each and every one of you provided to help make this award
program so successf ul! Hope to see all of you at the MWA Rally and or the NASCOE convention!
Tom Oasen, MWA Scholarship Chairperson
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNNOUNCEMENT
Herb Sorley, National Scholarship Chairman, reports that a total of 168 scholarship applications w ere received this year from
the 5 areas. The scoring was VERY clo se and they received some great applications w ith wonderful indiv iduals from which to
choose. And the winner is...... . Bridgette Terrell of the Midw est Area!! Bridgette is the daughter of Sam and Tina Terrell of
New Vienna, Ohio. Bridgette w ill be announced as the w inner during the National Convention on August 11th in Myrtle Beach.
She w ill be receiving an aw ard of $4000 tow ards her college education. Congratulations Bridgette!!
Iowa S cholarship News
Greetings to all members with "college bound" students! After some discussion with members,
the directors have elected to make a change for Iowa Scholarship applications in 2008. Next
year we will have 2 different applications available. One application (IOWA Scholarship Only) will
be identical to the current form, with the exception that financial data will not be required. This
IOWA application will only be eligible for an Iowa award. If your son/daughter wishes to have a
chance at the Midwest Area (MWA) Scholarship, they will need to use the application posted on
the NASCOE web-site. This application is in the same format that we have always used in Iowa.
Once again, this type of application makes them eligible for the State award AND the MWA
Scholarship. When scoring for the Iowa award, we will NOT use any financial need
in determining the winner, no matter which application has been used by the student. It is our
hope that this may encourage more applicants each year for the scholarship offered by IASCOE.
Cindy Pistek
Scholarship Chairperson
25
The IASCOE Directors and Publicity Committee discussed and reviewed the IASCOE
Newsletter for submission for the M WA Publicity Awards process in February 2007. It
was requested that the following items be submitted for the M WA awards.
2006 Publicity Contest:
Best Overall Website –Brian Beach Webmaster (www.iascoe.org)
Best Overall Newsletter- Tammy Eibey Editor
Best Single Issue- September 2006 and- December 2006
Best Feature Story Human InterestM an’s Best Friend A Soldier’s Story By Dee Ann Lehn (M arch 2006)
The Battle Still Rages by Dee Ann Lehn (September 2006)
Empty Nest Syndrome by Tammy Eibey (September 2006 Issue)
Ovarian Cancer- The Silent Killer by Tammy Eibey (December 2006)
Best Feature Story HumorousAunt Lisa by Lisa Forburger (June 2006)
The Great M orel (M ushroom) by Tammy Eibey (June 2006)
The Cat Story by Judy Vos (December 2006)
Polly PT issue #20 by Rose Woerner (December 2006 Issue)
I was notified in M arch that Iowa had won for the following areas and they needed to be
sent to the National judges:
Best Overall Newsletter
Best Single Issue- September 2006
Best Humorous Story- Polly PT part 20 Rose Woerner CED Black Hawk County
I was then notified on M ay 1st that Iowa had won the National Publicity Awards for the
above categories. And will receive plaques at the National Convention banquet on
August 11th. The Convention will be held in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tammy Eibey
IASCOE Publicity Chairperson
Tammy and Barb Stoll, MWA Publicity C hair
With the N ewsl etter Award
R ose accepting Newsletter Award
From Mike Craft DD at Managers Meeting
26
IASCOE Membership Report
M ay 2007
By Dan Wells, State M embership Chairperson
The 2006 IASCOE Membership increased from last year and ended up at 89.2% overall. I am
also pleased to report that 77 of our 100 counties have a 100% membership in IASCOE and to top
all of that off, Districts #1 & 7 achieved 100% membership this year.
Our continued goal is to have 100% membership in Iowa. There are several county’s and
district’s very close to achieving that very goal and I would like to challenge each and everyone
of you to make the commitment to improve on our membership. With a strong membership the
goals set forth by our organization can be accomplished and the stronger our association will
become. Now that 2006 has been recorded in the history books it’s time we focus on 2007.
Each of the county offices will be receiving notice of our annual dues very soon. Please take the
time to review and update your current information. This helps with our record keeping and we
certainly do not want to leave anyone behind. Each and every FSA employee is important to our
organization.
I would like to introduce you to the 2007 IASCOE Membership Committee:
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
is represented by T ammy Pruin from Sioux County
is represented by Vicki Pederson from Floyd County
is represented by Sheri Rodman from Clayton County
is represented by Cathleen “ Skip” Borst from Carroll County
is represented by Rod Biensen from Story County
is represented by Carma Reiss from Benton County
is represented by Jolene Fechter from Page County
is represented by Marla Morlan from Monroe County
is represented by Cynde Briggs from Mahaska County
Each member of this committee would be more than willing to answer any questions you may
have concerning membership and the benefits associated with being a member. I am also
available to all of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
The Membership Committee with the IASCOE Director’s concurrence is able to offer the “ Early
Bird” specials again this year. For those IASCOE members who get there dues into their
respective committee members before June 15 th are eligible to receive a $50 refund. Five
members will be drawn.
Be sure to get your dues in early. Our winners last year were:
Sheri Muench – Buchanan County
Pat Helmrichs – Delaware County
Kathy Moorman – Wayne County
Renee Price – East Pottawattamie County
Connie Johnson – Fayette County
I want to personally “T hank” all of you for your continued support and would like for all of you
to seriously consider becoming a member of IASCOE. There are several benefits associated with
being a member. Do you know that because we are not Federal employees something as simple
as our cost of living increases have to be requested for us? NASCOE/IASCOE as our
representative makes sure that we receive the same benefits as all Federal employees. T he
accomplishments that NASCOE/IASCOE has made go on and on.
27
NASCOE/IASCOE extends a special invitation for you to join our organization.
NAS COE
June 12, 2007
Iowa Honorary Life Membership
Prior to 1971
Name
Grace Baker
William Chelf
Audrey Elmore
Marian Cole
Scott Rehse
Geneva Brock
Leola Laughlin
Gladys McCann
Lester Hoppe
Reinhard Lieb
Elmer Gustafson
Gladys Rose
W. J. Weisskopf
Margery Dietrich
Wilma Mills
Ralph P erry
Lynn Lafollette
Bessie Groomes
Auguste Lucas
Helene Jacobson
Emory Krebs
Gerald Gilley
Mildred Littrell
Marie Allen
Harold Dollen
Viva Bergthold
Margaret Mitchell
Helen Pilgrim
John Amdahl
Guy Amis
Ray Bleakney
Helen Brau
Zene Chambers
A. M. Colman
Ottis Cory
John Cross
Jeannette Danielson
Iva Dotson
Harry Goddard
Ruth Hatch
Trella Head
Ruth Hill
Julian Jenson
Harold Johnson
City
Spirit Lake, IA
West Liberty, IA
Leon, IA
Toledo, IA
Spirit Lake, IA
Lincoln, NE
Oskaloosa, IA
Marion, IA
Calumet, IA
Algona, IA
Villisca, IA
Blakesburg, IA
Victor, IA
Montezuma, IA
Nichols, IA
P rairie City, IA
Decatur County
Nevada, IA
Mason City, IA
Boone, IA
Zearing, IA
Collins, IA
Boone, IA
Atlantic, IA
P ersia, IA
Argyle, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Decorah, IA
Decorah, IA
Arnolds P ark, IA
Newton, IA
Mt. P leasant, IA
Greenfield, IA
Macedonia, IA
Gassville, IA
Leon, IA
Decorah, IA
Burlington, IA
Des Moines, IA
Spirit Lake, IA
Tucson, AZ
Clarinda, IA
Storm Lake, IA
Stockport, I
Position
Chief Clerk
Bin Crewman
Feed Grain Clerk
Feed Grain Clerk
Bin Supervisor
Feed Grain Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
Bin Crew
Bin Crewman
Administrative Clerk
Bin Supervisor
P rice Support Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
Bin Supervisor
CED
REAP Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
Bin Crewman
Bin Crewman
REAP Clerk
Bin Supervisor
Feed Grain Clerk
REAP Clerk
CED
Bin Crewman
CED
Bin Crewman
Bin Crewman
Administrative Clerk
Admin/P S Clerk
CED
P rice Support Clerk
CED
28
Gladys Koller
Bonnie Menzel
Mildred Miller
Helen Owen
Ellis Pilgrim
Martha Reuschel
Ella Rier
Ernest Rittgers
Arthur Rohwer
Albert Rope
Ross Smith
Name
Clifford Wilson
Walter Foley
Ed Reimers
Earl McGuire
Ernest Miller
Albert Clausen
Roy Couch
Vernon Burns
Albert Schultz
Jessie Lewis
Wilber Conkel
Alma Gladon
Alfred Josten
Russell Lindsay
Lois MaddyLewis
Harlan Smith
Marie Fehlhafer
Wesley Koch
Ernest Kirchner
Edwin Fitzsimons
Evelyn Ault
Lawrence Brennan
Mary Morton
Albert Hook
Marie Johnson
Rosella Spicer
W. H. Holiday
Albert Sallen
Cecil Hall
Donnellson, IA
Independence, IA
Keosauqua, IA
Osceola, IA
Decorah, IA
Dubuque, IA
Clarion, IA
P ocahontas, IA
P rimghar, IA
Mountain Home AR
Guthrie Center, IA
City
Wayland, IA
Clutier, IA
Calument, IA
Coon Rapids, IA
Corydon, IA
Jefferson, IA
Newton, IA
Algona, IA
Sperry, IA
Ankeny, IA
Ankeny, IA
Sigourney, IA
Garner, IA
Alexander, IA
Bussey, IA
Barnes City, IA
Elkader, IA
Hudson, IA
Nichols, IA
Monticello, IA
Ankeny, IA
Emmetsburg, IA
Rockwell City, IA
Wapello, IA
Webster City, IA
Sac City, IA
Spencer, IA
West Point, IA
Scarville, IA
Administrative Clerk
Administrative Clerk
Administrative Clerk
Bin Supervisor
Chief Clerk
CED
CED
Position
Bin Crewman
Bin Crewman
Bin Supervisor
Compliance Clerk
Bin Crewman
CED
Bin Crewman
P rice Support Clerk
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
P rice Support Clerk
CED
CED
CED
Chief Clerk
P rice Support Clerk
CED
Bin Crewman
CED
1972
Name
Mildred Stoops
Thomas Roberts
City
Elkader, IA
Eldon, IA
Position
Bin Supervisor
City/County
P ocahontas Co.
P ocahontas Co.
Nodaway, IA
Adams Co.
Henry Co.
Calhoun Co.
Wapello Co.
Louisa Co.
Monona Co.
Madison Co.
Ida Co.
Hancock Co.
Hancock Co.
Clay Co.
Position
PA
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
PA
Bin Supervisor
CED
PA
PA
CED
Bin Supervisor
PA
PA
Bin Supervisor
1974
Name
Lyla Bailey
Louis Reiter
Joe McCoy
Arlo Olive
Marguerite Mertens
Robert Roske
Bernard Hermann
Erma Webster
Frances Irene Smith
Leo King
Burdette Clouse
Ruth Knudtson
Erma Linda Schmidt
Everett Steffen
29
1975
Name
Vaughn Christensen
P auline Brader
Robert Myers
Roberta Harris
Alice Johnston
Ardys Nelson
Dorothy P ayne
Luther Stock
Darrell Clark
Roberta Harris
Lorraine Banks
Lyle Kinnick
Duane Herron
John Cutkamp
Delmar Thorson
Mildred Hamann
Arlo McGowan
Mary Jane Adams
Oliver Eno
Helen Guilget
Owen Beddow
Virginia Seyb
Caroll Louks
Halcyon Gould
Cecil Reed
Mildred Fehl
Verner P eterson
Lois Thormburgh
Helen Domek
Laura Hinrichs
Donald Dudgeon
City/County
Toledo, IA
Audubon, IA
Jefferson, IA
Sioux City, IA
Jefferson, IA
Webster City, IA
Henry Co.
Sac Co.
Linn Co.
Woodbury Co.
Guthrie Co.
Guthrie Co.
Guthrie Co.
Louisa Co.
Hamilton Co.
Lyon Co.
Humboldt Co.
Calhoun Co.
Clayton Co.
Delaware Co.
Jefferson Co.
Lee Co.
Story Co.
Cherokee Co.
Taylor Co.
Blackhawk Co.
Hardin Co.
Warren Co.
P alo Alto Co.
Jones Co.
Webster Co.
Position
Bin Supervisor
PA
Bin Supervisor
PA
PA
PA
CED
Bin Supervisor
PA
PA
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
Bin Supervisor
PA
CED
PA
CED
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
Bin Supervisor
PA
Bin Supervisor
PA
PA
PA
Bin Supervisor
1976
Name
Florence Bair
Donald Harjes
Frieda Korb
Theodora Harder
Lois Von Ahn
Joyce Elsberry
Alberta McCord
Betty Brown
Clymene Jacobsen
City
Storm Lake, IA
Storm Lake, IA
Sioux City, IA
Nichols, IA
Sac City, IA
Boone, IA
Alden, IA
Rolfe, IA
Lake P ark, IA
Position
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
City
Albia, IA
Algona, IA
Chariton, IA
Denison, IA
Denison, IA
Rockwell City, IA
P anora, IA
Clear Lake, IA
PA
CP A
CED
PA
PA
PA
PA
CED
1977
Name
Mary Ellen Anderson
Hazel P arrott
Howard Hilburn
Delores Hammer
Grace Cooper
Evelyn Waterman
Delores Downing
Lawrence Copley
Position
1978
Name
Elizabeth Hewitt
Raymond Vanderhorst
Gaylor Thayer
Glen Randau
Betty Thompson
City/County
Oskaloosa, IA
Oskaloosa, IA
Des Moines, IA
Lee Co.
Tama Co.
Position
30
Mildred Olson
Carl Lantz
Nadine Gregg
William Day
Hazel Suter
Gordon Braley
Mary Kanne
Mitchell Co.
Iowa Co.
Calhoun Co.
Washington Co.
Keokuk Co.
Grinnell, IA
Carroll, IA
1979
Name
Henry Allen
Virginia Onstank
Erick Flaskerud
Forrest Johnson
Violet Grove
Glen Newell
Ray Klinkenborg
Hazel Howard
Russell Lyons
Lawrence Halter
Irene Anderson
City
Bloomfield, IA
Knoxville, IA
Decorah, IA
Donahue, IA
Ida Grove, IA
Laurens, IA
Rock Rapids, IA
Ankeny, IA
Traer, IA
Rhodes, IA
Des Moines, IA
Position
1980
Name
Myrtle Arch
Louise Whetstine
Evelyn Bachman
City/County
Des Moines Co.
Washington Co.
P olk Co.
Position
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
1983
Name
Louise Rummells
Robert Carson
Alice Beaver
Herbert P eters
Wayne Lund
Name
Eleanor Geeting
Irene Stutt
Nancy Brandt
Moke Witters
Robert Devine
James Vipond
City/County
Lone Tree, IA
Iowa City, IA
Position
DeWitt, IA
Woodbury Co.
City/County
Position
Adair Co.
Lucas Co.
Ida Co.
Greene Co.
Monona Co.
1984
Name
Leora Anderson
Donna Mae Burmester
Kermit Chapman
Velma Conlon
Alice June Fleming
Maxine Freed
Betty Galloway
Florence Hayden
Henrietta Huhn
Nava Lanning
Darlene Lindsey
Zona Long
James Mullahy
Helen Nolte
Margaret Smutz
Colleen Swalwell
Kathryn Wheelock
Kay Weidner
Rita Mae Wessling
City
Estherville, IA
Hampton, IA
Sac City, IA
Humboldt, IA
Woodburn, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Newton, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Nevada, IA
Toddville, IA
Webster City, IA
Centerville, IA
Burlington, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Mt. P leasant, IA
Maxwell, IA
Nevada, IA
Fairfield, IA
Sioux City, IA
Position
PA
PA
CED
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
CED
PA
CED
PA
CED
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA
31
1985
Name
Erma Flygstad
Aletha Nelson
Robert Birkby
Helen Charlotte McHugh
Mildred Ferguson
Marjory P aton
Lorraine Gallerick
Mary Ann Hayward
Bernice Hanson
City/County
Hamilton Co.
Shelby Co.
Fremont Co.
Carroll Co.
Van Buren Co.
Grundy Co.
Lee Co.
Cerro Gordo Co.
Cherokee Co.
Position
City/County
P olk Co.
Wright Co.
Position
City/County
Buena Vista Co.
Position
City/County
Appanoose Co.
Audubon Co.
Position
1986
Name
Donald Gardner
P hyllis Woodley
1992
Name
Ann Jorgensen
1993
Name
P auline Golick
Virgil Klever
CED
1994
Name
Joann Ries
Murial Crossley
City/County
Fayette Co.
Mitchell Co.
Position
1998
Name
James Riekens
City
Clarion, IA
CED/DD
Position
City/County
Dickinson Co.
Cass Co.
COR
PT
Madison Co.
Cass Co.
PT
CED
Guthrie Co.
Clayton Co
CED
CED
COR
DATES UNKNOWN
Name
P at Achenbach
Sharon Boken
Charlotte Frideres
Sherry Lathrum
Elaine Martens
Shirley Nott
Ronald P arker
Frank P hippen
JoAnn Rowenhorst
Janice Schlicht
Position
2003
Name
Margaret Fetters
P at Sorgenfrey
City
Muscatine, IA
Onslow, IA
Position
PT
PT
City
Ankeny, IA
State Center, IA
Grundy Center, IA
Scotch Grove, IA
Bedford, IA
Position
PT
PT
PT
PT
DD
2006
Name
Maxine Dass
Barbara Sue Dennis
Geri DeVries
Glenda Eilers
Garnita Ewart
32
Arlene Gage
Elaine Gordon
D. Bart Griffith
Loree Hamilton
Larry Johnson
Elizabeth Kellen
John Kenagy
Connie Kinser
Richard Kleppe
Herbert Krause
Karen Kruger
Doug Larson
Karen Loeb
Gene Long
Ron Mauser
P atty Newton
Terry P auling
Gordon P aulus
Dale Rickert
Beverly Schakel
Alice Shimanek
Lorraine Sorensen
Norma Jean Swenson
Freda Thornton
Marvin Waechter
Ann Weigel
Karen Wheeler
Janice Wiemers
Carol Wirtz
Dolliver, IA
Creston, IA
Osceola, IA
Oakland, IA
Casey, IA
Alton, IA
Clarinda, IA
Winterset, IA
Clarence, IA
Oskaloosa, IA
Holland, IA
Maquoketa, IA
Waukon, IA
Montezuma, IA
Waterloo, IA
Casey, IA
Indianola, IA
Afton, IA
Wapello, IA
Monroe, IA
Monticello, IA
Alleman, IA
Mission, TX
Middleton, IA
Grinnell, IA
P ackwood, IA
Hampton, IA
Spencer, IA
Emmetsburg, IA
PT
PT
CED
PT
DD
PT
PT
CED
CED
CED
PT
CED
CED
CED
CED
PT
CED
PT
CED
PT
PT
PT
PT
PT
CED
PT
PT
PT
PT
Unofficial minutes and notes of both e vents have been submitte d
by De b Esselman Baird. CED Taylor/Price County WISCONSIN
The y may be found at www.iascoe .org
33
Make a Splash this Summer!!
Submitted by Dee Ann Lehn
Midwest Area Benefits Chairperson
Summer is just around the corner and many of you are planning those
family vacations. (Visions Of National Lam poon’s Vacation—always
flash through my mind when I think of summer vacations—a classic
movie if there ever was one!) Anyway, back to the business at hand;
one of the benefits of being a NASCOE member is having access to
discount tickets for select amusement parks throughout the United
States.
For the Midwest area, we have secured discount coupons to
Adventureland in Ankeny, Iowa, Six Flags St. Louis, Holiday World in
Santa Claus, Indiana and Mt. Olympus in the Wisconsin Dells. There
are also numerous other discounts available at various Sea Worlds,
Busch Gardens, Six Flag Theme Parks and other amusement parks
throughout the rest of the country.
Please log on to the NASCOE web page for more information or contact
me and I’ll be glad to help you secure the discount coupons you need.
34
I f you've looked at the E mblems O nline Store Webs ite lately, you will have seen a lot of new
products added for 2007. To get there, go to www.t henascoest ore.com , C lick on Let's
Shop, Click on Browse, then clic k on New for 2007, sc roll down and look at all the new
products we have. Y ou asked us for women's shirts in s pring c olors - - Items 7118, 7119,
7120, and 7121 have some great s pring c olors . We've also added new colors to the every
popular ladies pima cotton pique s hirt – Item 3036 - we've added lavender, s late blue, and
melon. Also, getting ready for the South Carolina Beach NASCO E Convention, you wanted
beac h products and some things for the children; we've included it. O rder now and have them
when you go to the convention; inventory there will be limited and will sell fast. Be ready!!!
NEW2007 - that's your c oupon c ode to get 5% off your total order of $30 .00 or more if you
order one or more of the N ew for 2007! products . Chec k out the New for 2007! items ; we
have some really neat items . We were asked to offer s ome spring colors in ladies s hirts . We
have several new styles in some really pretty c olors.
CLO SEO UT ITEMS! To c lear our shelves for room for new products , we're discontinuing items
and some are marked down to below our c ost. Some of the closeout items are SKU 3002,
3038, 3045, 3046 , 3064, and there will be others added. I n the description of the items ,
there is an inventory of what's available and we will make every effort to keep it up- to- date.
3002
3038
D on't forget to put your coupon
code NE W2007 for your 5% off
We welc ome your input on new products and other ways to improve the website.
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY!
The spies have been out again in Northeast Iowa….See if you can identify the CED in their younger
years!!!
#1 This CED has been around….she was a PT in NE Iowa, went to CED in SE Iowa and has been back in
the area quite some time!!!
#2 This CED is quite talented. He is a regular in IASCOE talent shows--#3 This CED had to wear her cute little hat until she was almost 3. That’ s how long it took her to
get hair!!!
1
?
2
?
ANSWERS ON PAGE
35
3
?
Distinguished Service Award
We would like to nominate Jean Finch for the Distinguished Award for Service to
FSA/Agriculture. Jean was first employed as a temporary in 1978. She was
separated in 1979 and then rehired in 1982 to help with the maps and eventually
the wonderful PIK program. She continued as a temporary employee until April
1986 when she became a permanent employee. Jean has been an employee
now for over 28 years and she is in charge of CRP, DCP programs and is acting
CED for Greene County in the CED’s absence.
Greene County is in NW central Iowa and has over 1576 farms with over 2500
eligible voters-farmers and Jean is the overseer of 825 CRP contracts for Greene
County.
Jean has worked with the many areas of the conservation programs-ACP to CRP
for the last 18 years. She is able to work with the farmers, landowners, NRCS
Staff and office personnel in a manner which delivers these programs effectively
and efficiently to the benefit of the farmer and also the county and government.
With patience and understanding, Jean guides each farmer through their
individual conservation needs, and some of us know that sometimes a LOT of
patience is needed. Her knowledge of the programs and their requirements come
from first hand experience as the land she owns and operates -620 acres- has
many acres of CRP on them. Jean also goes above and beyond most by
attending informational meetings held by banks, advisors and agricultural
specialists on her own time.
Her ability to relate and serve the farmers on the personal and the business level
has made the Greene County FSA Office function smoothly and effectivel y.
Respectfully Submitted,
Candy Hoyle, PT
Debi Ostrander, PT
Diane Ostrander, PT
Diane Wise, PT
Kevin Fitzpatrick, CED
(Note: Jean also won the Midwest Area DS A for service to FS A/Agriculture!)
36
The person I am nominating for the Service to NASCOE award has been a
member since becoming a permanent employee in 1986. She is a PT working in
the Lyon County FSA Office and is responsible for the Facility Loan Program and
Payment Limitations. She became an IASCOE director in 1992-93.
She has attended all the Iowa State Conventions: most of the Midwest Area
Rallies, other state conventions and since 1994, has only missed one National
Convention. Whether it was on a long bus ride, sharing a ride in a van or car,
driving her own vehicle, or flying, she knew it would be worth it to attend, renew
old friendships and make new ones. She has always attended the convention
sessions and returned home to share the information with her co-workers.
Her support does not end there. She has been on the State Awards committee
since 1993 and served as chairperson since 1996. She served as Midwest Area
Awards Chairperson since 2000-2001 until 2006. Attending the Awards
Committee meeting and giving her report at the Midwest Area portion of the
Convention.
Not only has she attended all these functions, she has participated by taking part
in talent shows and skits. She has been in charge of the silent auction and raffle
held at the Iowa Convention in the past years. She has taken a turn at the
Emblems booth ( State and National) when asked, and helped with the NASCOE
Scholarship auction.
Rose and her husband Lyle have five children and three grandchildren that keep
them busy. She still takes time for her church. She plays the piano and/organ
and is a member of the hand bell choir.
I respectfully nominate my friend, Rosalyn Kahl for Distinguished Service to
NASCOE.
Denise Dugan
PT, Woodbury County
(Note: Rosalyn also won the Midwest Area DS A for service to NASCOE!)
37
Iowa Employee Associations Welcome FSA Administrator, Teresa Lasseter
The annual IASCOE/IACS/IASE joint Convention was held March 30 th and 31 st in Johnston,
Iowa at the Stoney Creek Inn. We had the pleasure of having our FSA Administrator, T eresa
Lasseter attend and participate in the convention’s events. Ms. Lasseter spoke during the general
session and let us all know her history with ASCS/FSA and how she made it from being a CO
temporary in Georgia to the FSA Administrator in Washington, DC. She also expressed her
feeling of gratitude for all the work being done and she stated that she holds a special place in her
heart for the employees in the county offices of FSA.
Administrator Lasseter then went on to discuss several items that were on the minds of the
employees here in Iowa and across the country. They included the IT issues and recent web
server problems, the Improper Payment findings, OIG and checklists, USDA’s Farm Bill
Proposal, Office Restructuring plans and Reorganizations, Security Awareness, employee morale
and the addition of Mark Keenum as Under Secretary of USDA. All of these issues are listed in
more detail at the IASCOE website of www.iascoe.org.
During the evening events, Ms. Lasseter and our SED, Mr. McLaren, invited a small group of the
employees to dinner. I was very impressed with Ms. Lasseter and enjoyed being able to speak
with both the Administrator and SED on a more personal level. Also attending that dinner was
Steve Kennedy, T ammy Pruin, Craig Hughes, Alan Donaldson, Dave Hoaglund, ST C member
Dan Petersen and his wife. I want to thank Mr. McLaren for inviting me to dinner. It was a very
enriching experience.
I have since been fortunate enough to have the pleasure to attend the MWA Rally in Michigan
last weekend. The Administrator and her husband Willard were both in attendance. I again was
able to speak with her and enjoy her company during the business and “ fun” events. She was very
open and accessible to all the employees in attendance. What struck me was that she remembered
that I had 4 children and that the boys were in college. She asked about their summer plans. I was
really impressed since she has met hundreds of employees from across the country. I do have a T Shirt that Michigan had for sale that said “ Check This -770 signed as “ Approved” by Teresa
Lasseter…It might show up on EBAY, (just Kidding) She and Craig T rimm each bought one to
take back to DC and planned on wearing for one of her staff meetings.
As we read in the FSA Courier today that the Administrator plans on visiting local FSA offices in
June, I wonder if I said I worked in Delaware County Iowa one too many times!
Respectfully submitted,
T ammy Eibey
FLO, Delaware County Iowa
IASCOE District 3 Director
38
Ellen Danner, Program Technician in the Ringgold County FSA Office is retiring after 21
years of service to both the Lucas and Ringgold County FSA Offices. Ellen began her
first full-time job on M onday, M ay 18, 1957, which was Ellen's 18th birthday. Ellen is
retiring from FSA on Friday, M ay 18, 2007, which is Ellen's 68th birthday and 50 years
to the day after she started her first full-time job. Ellen is looking forward to spending
time with her family, watching her grandchildren and volunteering in her spare time.
Optional: For those who would like to wish Ellen the best in her retirement, cards may
be sent to:
Ellen Danner
1201 E. South Street
M ount Ayr, Iowa 50854
First Day…Monday, May 18, 1957
Last Day…Friday, May 18, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honor our Military!
A local high school in Wisconsin has invited us and all the high schools in the USA to join
them to help support our military. High schools are encourag ed to put up a display, sponsor an
event, etc. and the school will be recognized on this website:
www.usdamilitaryfamilies.org.
This website is loaded with valuable information regarding troop and family support, mailing packages and
letters, a prayer list and a whole lot more that would provide some level of support fo r our military abroad.
If you know a s chool or school o rganization that h asn't started something, please share this website with
them and the teaching staff. Let me know o f any progress! I will then forward to Deb Esselman -Baird
CED Taylor/Price County in Wisconsin.
39
MY BIG SURPRISE
Vi cky Rechkemmer
Program Techni ci an i n Des Moi nes County
I hav e an unbeli evable s tory to share wi th you – and i t really i s true!
On Fri day morni ng my fri end Ethel and I l eft about 10:00 a.m. to go shoppi ng i n Iow a Ci ty. We
got back to Medi apoli s about 5:30 p.m. and i nstead of goi ng home s he turned i nto the parki ng lot of the
local restaurant. She parked and w e sat there. When I asked her w hat w e w ere doi ng, she sai d, “Si t
her e and shut up.” Pretty soon s he s tarted com bi ng her hai r and putti ng on li psti ck. When I as ked her
i f I shoul d be com bi ng my hai r and putti ng on li psti ck, she sai d, “Si t here and shut up.” Okay. I thought
there mus t be som ethi ng goi ng on but i t w asn’ t my bi rthday or anythi ng else I could thi nk of!
Wi thi n mi nutes my si ster Jan and si ster-i n-law Cheryl pulled up and they had a bli ndfol d. Ethel
di dn’ t know w hat w as goi ng on – just that s he w as to have m e ther e at 5:30 p.m. When Jan put the
bli ndfol d on me Ethel sai d “they must hav e bli nd dates for us and yours i s so ugly you need a bli ndfol d!”
They put me i n the backs eat of Cheryl’ s car and w e took off. Jan told me the fami ly had done
somethi ng at my hous e that day and w anted to s urpri se me. I thought they must have taken dow n the
dead tree i n my front yar d! Cher yl kept maki ng more turns than i t shoul d have taken to my hous e but I
di dn’ t thi nk anythi ng of i t. She tol d me w e w ere pulli ng i nto my dri vew ay – that sounded true. They
helped me out of the car and sai d w e w ere goi ng i n the front door and helped me up the s teps. We w ent
thr ough the door and I di dn’ t feel carpet on my feet but Cheryl sai d w e w ent through another door.
They w alked me for a few feet and then took off my bli ndfold. There w as my enti re fami ly standi ng
wi th my daughter Li sa. Lisa w as cryi ng and had tears i n her eyes and sai d, “Welcome to your new home,
Mom!” I’ m so qui ck – I sai d “w hose house i s thi s and w her e are w e?”
Here I w as standi ng i n a brand new house w i th all my furni ture and everythi ng already mov ed i n!!
Li sa had alw ays tol d me that someday she w ould buy me a house and thi s w as the day! Talk about
surpri se!!
Li sa had the closi ng on the house at 10:30 i n the morni ng and all the fami ly came at noon to move
me. My li vi ng room furni ture w as arranged – there w as a new di ni ng room table and chai rs – new beddi ng
on my bed – new show er curtai ns and tow els – even soap on the counters.
Li sa sai d she deci ded i n February that thi s w as the year s he w as goi ng to make i t happen. S he
lives near Chi cago so s he w ent onli ne to look at houses and found thi s one. She contacted the real tor
about i t and w hen s he came home tw o w eeks before Eas ter s he looked at i t. She made an offer on
Thursday w hi ch w as accepted even though the hous e w asn’ t qui te completed. When she came hom e for
Easter s he tour ed the house agai n. The realtor and everyone i nvolved w ere sw orn to secr ecy – the
realtor ev en locked up the fi le i n her offi ce so no one coul d see i t. Li sa talked to my fami ly on Easter
and made arrangem ents for the mov e. She sai d there w ere to be no e-mai ls and they couldn’ t even tell
thei r ow n children!
She had been busy for a month buyi ng furni ture, beddi ng, etc. Whenev er I w ould call her and ask
w hat she w as doi ng she sai d “nothi ng much.” She now tells me she hasn’ t been able to eat or sleep w hi le
she w as doi ng all thi s. The people i n Medi apoli s had heard the hous e had been sold but no one knew w ho
bought i t! It drove them crazy!!
40
I am the oldest of seven chi ldren so ther e w as qui te a crew movi ng me on that Fri day afternoon –
brothers, si sters, i n-law s, ni eces, and nephew s all w orked to get the move done i n just a few hours. My
next-door nei ghbor came over to see w hat w as goi ng on w hen they w ere loadi ng thi ngs from my old
hous e. He asked i f I w as movi ng and they told hi m “yes – but s he doesn’ t know i t!” The nei ghbors at
the new house w ere tryi ng fi gure out w ho w as movi ng i n but my fami ly tol d them they just had to w atch
at 5:30 to see!
I hav e nev er been so surpri sed i n my enti re li fe – i t i s a dream come true! I di dn’ t have a clue i n
the w orld that she w as doi ng all thi s. The house i s absolutely beauti ful and has everythi ng I ever
w anted. Several months ago I had w ri tten dow n w hat I w ould li ke i n my dream house. Li sa found the
note and accompli shed everythi ng on that li st!!
It i s li terally a dream come true. If they could hav e had a bus out front they w ould have sai d,
“Move that bus!” My w hole fami ly is so w onder ful and they had so much fun doi ng i t all for me. We
parti ed unti l the w ee hours that ni ght! I tell everyone that my fami ly is usually a beer and w hi te
zi nfandel ki nd of fami ly – but that ni ght they w ere a SHOTS ki nd of fami ly!
My son and hi s fami ly li ve i n Colorado and couldn’ t be here but they sent di shes, tow els, show er
ri ngs, hand sw eeper, and other thi ngs and hope to come and vi si t soon.
My daughter Li sa i s absolutely the mos t aw esome daughter i n the w hole w i de w orld! I feel li ke
the lucki est w oman ali ve ri ght now .
I w ant to s hare w i th you the framed letter s he gave me along wi th the house key:
One of my dreams as a chi ld w as to buy a beauti ful home for you. Watchi ng you w ork so many
jobs and alw ays putti ng your chi ldren before yours elf w as a trem endous sacri fi ce, a sacri fi ce not many
w ould have made. Those sacri fi ces enri ched my li fe and love for you.
Thi s home i s my thank you Mom. For all those sacri fi ces and all the love, s trength and suppor t
you gi ve.
Today, my mos t cheri shed dr eam comes true!
Welcome hom e Mom
All my love, Li sa
Oh, by the w ay, I fi nally found out my address. It i s 1104 Huron Street i n Medi apoli s. I really
di dn’ t know w here I w as w hen they took off my bli ndfol d!!!
Vicky and her daughter, Lisa!
41
CONGRATUALTIONS JEFF DAVIS, CED Plymouth County
Say hello to Raegan Jean Davis.
She is the daughter of Zach and Angie Davis.
Born:, May 24, 2007 @ 2:55 p.m.
6-lb 2-oz
17 inches tall.
Everyone is doing great. She was 5 weeks early.
Grandpa made it through the entire ordeal and still has a big smile on his
face. One down and one to go in early August.
42
Simple Tips to Slimmer Waists
Submitted by: Lisa Forburger, Kossuth County
Everyone knows that eating right and exercising are the keys to weight control.
But not everyone knows these tips to make your efforts pay off fast.
Eat breakfast its true – regular meals and occasional low-cal snacks help
prevent the “famine then feast” syndrome. Great start: Fill up first thing on highfiber cereal, whole grain bread or fresh fruit. That will stick with you until lunch
time.
Bite into a pickle or lemon Ad vantages: Neither have any calories to speak of,
and the sour taste will curb your appetite. Don’t have either? Try brushing your
teeth.
Post a list of small projects on the refrigerator. Then, whenever you’re bored or
tempted to snack, tackle an item on your list. Result: it will help you ride out
crave attacks.
Serve yourself half the amount you usually eat if you tend to eat whatever is in
front of you. And make less food look more by using smaller plates.
Exercise in the morning. Why: After fasting overnight, two-thirds of the calories
burned come from stored fat, which contains more calories than carbohydrates –
the main energy source in afternoon workouts.
Keep calories burning with aerobic exercise, like biking, swimming or rowing.
Ad vantage: A single session burns calories during the workout for several hours
afterward.
Take your time. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to receive the signal
that you’re full. So gulping food quickly may lead to overeating. Strategies: Set
your silverware down between bites…. chew slowly… savor each flavor and
texture. And play soft soothing background music, which tends to slow the meal.
43
By Judy Vos
Recently Retired PT from Woodbury County
Hi Ta mmy, Since I a m about to retire in June, and I will never see any of you again, I
decided to share my most e mbarrassing moment with the IASCOE world. Pretty brave
of me! Huh??? OK Here goes.
The Trip to Madison, Wisconsin.
(To see Suz, the one with the cat (dead) in the dryer)
I was on my way to visit our daughter, Suz, in Madison WI. She had been having some
medical proble ms, so I was in a hurry to get there, so my husband took me to the
Omaha Airport, and dropped me off the usual 2 hours early. (They won't let just
anybody past those gates anymore, you know). So I sat there drinking my diet pop and
reading some very important literature, I'm sure. Eventually, they let us board for
Minneapolis. Once we were in the air, the attentive stewardess appeared to offer the
bag of pretzels and of course, another round of diet Coke. By the time we got into
Minneapolis, I was definitely scouting out the first available restroom, and I had to get
to one in a hurry, because the connecting flight to Madison, WI was at the exact
opposite end of the terminal. So, I sprinted to the nearest restroom, as fast as I could,
and of course, so did every other woman that ca me off that plane. So, my turn in line
finally ca me, and with no t ime to spare, (in more ways than one)I entered that little
private room, only to discover that the previous "I only care about me " person, had
failed to use the available "seat covers" and had SPLASHED a ll over the place. What
was I going to do? I did not have the luxury of finding another bathroom. It was time
to race to the other end of this building or miss my connecting flight, and my several
cans of diet coke were stressing me to the max. So, I carefully placed about a dozen
"circles of cleanliness" over the splashed area and AHH!! Washed my hands and out the
door with a sprint I went. Trying to look calm and in control on the outside, I z ipped
along, smiling at others in the terminal, and tried to maintain control of my ever-flipping
suitcase at the same time. The people I encountered on my fast-paced trip to the
opposite end of the earth, seemed unusua lly friendly with the ir He llos and s miling nods.
When I reached the loading area for the last leg of my trip to W isconsin with 5 minutes
to spare, some very nice young man walked up to me and said in a low voice; "Excuse
me ma 'a m, but you have a toilet cover circle that has attached itself to the back of your
jeans, which you probably want to re move before getting on the plane ". AWK!!! People
were not s miling at me, they were smirking!! Why didn't ANYONE on the escalator tell
me??? I had unintentionally pulled up one of the "circles" in my haste to leave the
restroom at it was right "behind" me all the way across the terminal. At that moment, I
wanted to find that women that splashed on the seat, and strangle her.
So, men put the seat back down, and women, sit down--and Don't Splash!
Judy
44
45
46
BABY PICTURE ANSWERS:
#1 Juli e Vulk
#2 John Bahnsen
#3 Conni e Straw
47
CAN YOU GUESS THE TREES AND FLOWERS
Submitted By Sue Beemer
1. Kissing flowers_______________________
2. You’ll remember these__________________________
3. A roaring beast_____________________
4. An American beauty_______________________
5. These won’t tell____________________________
6. ______________________’s the word
7. What a grouch_________________________
8. A cigarette tree__________________
9. The mighty__________________
10. Takes two of these________________
11. You see these at Easter____________________
12. A single man__________________________________
13. These trees cry________________________________
14. These bark_______________________________
15. These have needles_____________________
16. A potassium tree______________________________
17. Happy flower_______________________________
18. A.M. prayer____________________________________
19. To waste away______________________
20. An auto in a big county____________________________
21. Cloth and lumber______________________
22. An animal’s coat_________________
23. Some tell time by it___________________
24. Colored number____________________
25. A tree in demand_________________
26. A partition that is crazy____________________
Answers found on Page 60
48
We have completed the first month of our trivia competition. I’m already well aware that
the teams are very sharp and I might have to make things a little more difficult to keep
people on their toes.
Twenty-four teams have sent in their entry forms. How creative you were with your
names!
For clarification, if you do not return your answer sheet and/or bonus answers by the
deadline, I will assume you chose not to play, or were too busy to play, that month and
your score will be zero. So, if you’re running stuck or short on time, find that spouse or
sister who knows everything and get some help from them.
You will not get bonus points for being first. There may some little twists along the way
but I will let you know in advance.
The table to the right shows the teams participating and the current scores. There will be
lots of time to catch up, so those of you on the bottom – don’t give up and those on top –
don’t get too comfortable.
Thanks to everybody who is participating. I hope you are having fun with it.
Glenda VonArb
Team Names
Points Bonus Total
Beautiful Clayton Co
Cotton Sisters
Team Winneshiek
www.waywoostwomen
Gamblers Anonymous
Flirtinis
Duh
0
190
250
250
250
250
250
300
250
240
290
300
290
300
290
240
240
300
300
290
300
300
300
300
Champions Of The State‘07
Page County
Buchanen Brainiacs
Cifoxers
5:00 Somewhere
Team Knowledge
Plymouth Rock Heads
Hancock County Chicks
Lyonettes
Woodbury Wise Guys
River Rats
Poky Prodigies
Ditsy Chicks
STO Brainstormers
Jasper CyHawks
Franklin Brainiacs
Thirty Somethings
49
0
6
0
18
25
28
45
0
56
72
24
15
30
21
32
88
88
30
36
54
48
54
56
56
0
196
250
268
275
278
295
300
306
312
314
315
320
321
322
328
328
330
336
344
348
354
356
356
Submitted By Judy Dameron
You know w hat knee-hi gh by the Fourth of July means.
You know i t i s tradi ti onal for the bri de and groom to go bar hoppi ng
betw een the recepti on and w eddi ng dance.
You know the di fference betw een "Green" and "Red"
farm machi nery, and w ould fi ght w i th your fri ends on the playground ov er w hi ch w as
better!
You buy Chri stmas presents at Farm Fleet
You know more is spent on beer & li quor than food at w eddi ngs.
You or som eone you know w as a "Pork Queen" at the county fai r.
You know that "com bi ne" i s a noun AND a ver b.
You let your ol der si bli ngs talk you i nto putti ng your tongue on a
steel post i n the mi ddle of w i nter.
You thi nk Lutheran and Catholi c are THE major reli gi ons.
You know that "creek" rhym es wi th "pi ck".
You know football schedules, hunti ng season and harvest are all taken i nto
consi derati on befor e w eddi ng dates are s et.
You know a Fri day ni ght date i s getti ng a si x-pack and taki ng your gi rlfri end
shi ni ng for deer.
You know Saturday you go to your local bow li ng alley.
You know there w as at leas t one ki d i n your class w ho had to help mi lk cow s
or goats i n the morni ng...phew !
You have dri ven your car on the lake.
You know every w eddi ng dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chi cken
dance. And w orse yet you know how to dance i t!
Your defi ni ti on of a small tow n i s one that only has one bar.
You know the local gas stati on sells li ve bai t
You know at least tw i ce a year some part of your home doubles as a meat
processi ng plant.
You thi nk that the s tart of deer season i s a nati onal holi day.
You know Pop i s the only name for soda.
You don' t need to use your turn si gnals becaus e ev eryone already
know s w here you are goi ng.
You know w hat "party at the fi eld" means: (Someone has acqui red a
keg and i s havi ng a party i n the mi ddle of a corn fi eld i n the
mi ddle of now her e -- everyone know s exactly how to get there. Corn
fi eld serves as cover i n case the party i s busted)
You know w hen you lose control of your vehi cle and go i nto the di tch. The
new s wi ll get back to tow n befor e you do!!!!!
You actually understand these jokes and wi ll forw ard them to all
your Iow a fri ends!!!!!
50
It’s a Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s a Frog!
Submitted by Dee Ann Lehn
CED, Keokuk County
Not bird or plane or even frog, it’s just Cathy Fry’s little dog! Copper, a Jack Russell
terrier, owner by Keokuk County PT, Cathy Fry, was down right serious about treeing a
sassy squirrel last week. Copper scampered up this 10 foot spruce trying to catch the
bushy tailed little creature that had been taunting her. Alas, the squirrel escaped but the
chase revealed a talent that Copper’s family had no idea she possessed!
Good Doggie!
51
56 Facts About Blood and Blood Donation
Submitted by: Tammy Eibey FLO Delaware County
One for each day between your blood donations!
1. 4.5 million Americans would die each year without life saving blood transfusions.
2. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the United States.
3. Every three seconds someone needs blood
4. One out of every 10 people entering a hospital needs blood.
5. Just one pint of donated blood can he lp save as many as three people’s lives.
6. The average adult has 10 pints of blood in his or her body.
7. One unit of blood is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
8. Blood ma kes up about 7% of your body's we ight.
9. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his or her body.
10. The average red blood ce ll transfusion is 3.4 pints.
11. Blood fights against infection and he lps heal wounds, keeping you healthy.
12. There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O. AB is the universal recipient
and O negative is the universal donor.
13. Blood centers often run short of type O and B blood.
14. Shortages of all types of blood occur during the summer and winter holidays.
15. If all blood donors gave 2 to 4 t imes a year, it would help prevent blood
shortages.
16. If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you
reached 76, you would have donated 48 ga llons of blood.
17. About three gallons of blood supports the entire nation's blood needs for one
minute.
18. Blood donation takes four steps: medical history, quick physical, donation, and
snacks.
19. The actual blood donation usually takes less than 10 minutes. The entire
processes, from when you sign in to the time you leave, takes about 45 minutes.
20. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
21. You cannot get AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating blood.
22. Fourteen tests, 11 of which are for infectious diseases, are performed on each
unit of donated blood.
23. Any company, community organization, place of worship or individual may
contact their local community blood center to host a blood drive.
24. People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community spirit, not to make
money. They are not paid for their donation.
25. Much of today's medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy
donors.
26. One unit of blood can be separated into several components (red blood ce lls,
white blood cells, plas ma, platelets and cryoprecipitate).
27. Red blood ce lls carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissue.
52
28. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood.
29. Red blood ce lls live about 120 days in the circulatory system.
30. Platelets help blood to clot and give those with leuke mia and other cancers a
chance to live.
31. Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special kind of blood donation that allows a donor
to give specific blood components, such as platelets.
32. Donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.
33. Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection.
34. Plasma can be frozen and used for up to a year.
35. Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts.
36. Plasma, which is 90% water, constitutes 55% of blood volume.
37. Healthy bone marrow ma kes a constant supply of red cells, plas ma and platelets.
38. People who have been in car accidents and suffered massive blood loss can need
transfusions of 50 pints or more of red blood cells.
39. The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 units of platelets and about
20 units of red blood cells. Patients undergoing bone marrow transplants need
platelets donations from about 120 people and red blood cells from about 20
people.
40. Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their treatment.
41. Children be ing treated for cancer, premature infants, and children having heart
surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types.
42. Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their iron levels.
43. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients and patients undergoing open-heart
surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.
44. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects more than 80,000 people in
the United States, 98% of whom are of African descent. Some patients with
complications from severe sickle cell disease receive blood transfusions every
month – up to 4 pints at a time.
45. In the days following the Septe mber 11 attacks, a half a million people donated
blood.
46. Females receive 53% of blood transfused; males receive 47%.
47. 94% of all blood donors are registered voters.
48. 60% of the US population is eligible to donate – only 5% do on a yearly basis.
49. 17% of non-donors cite “never thought about it” as the main reason for not
giving, while 15% say they’re “too busy.” The #1 reason donors say they give is
because they “want to help others.”
50. After donating blood, you replace these red blood cells within 3 to 4 weeks. It
takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.
51. Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along blood vessel walls in search of
bacteria to eat.
52. White cells are the body's primary defense against infection.
53. There is no substitute for human blood.
54. It’s about Life.
55. Since a pint is pound, you lose a pound every time you donate blood.
56. Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 110
pounds may donate blood every 56 days.
53
What is the most common blood type?
The approxima te distribution of blood types in the US popula tion is as follows.
Distribution may be diffe rent for spe cific ra cial and e thnic groups:
O Rh-positive
38 pe rcent
B Rh-positive
9 pe rce nt
O Rh-negative
7 pe rce nt
B Rh-negative
2 pe rce nt
A Rh-positive
34 pe rcent
AB Rh-positive
3 pe rce nt
AB Rh-negative
1 pe rce nt
A Rh-negative
6 pe rce nt
In an eme rgency, anyone can re ce ive type O re d blood ce lls, and type AB individua ls
ca n re ce ive red blood cells of any AB O type . The refore , people with type O blood a re
known a s “unive rsa l donors” and those with type AB blood a re known a s “unive rsal
re cipients.” In a ddition, AB Plasma donors ca n give to a ll blood types.
When are blood donors needed most?
While blood donors are needed throughout the year, they are most needed during
holidays and in the summer. It is during these times that the number of donations
declines while the demand continues or even increases. While a given individual may
be unable to donate, he or she may be able to recruit a suitable donor. Relatives and
friends of a patient requiring a blood transfusion may wish to help their loved one.
Donating Blood to replenish the units that were needed is one of the best gifts one can
give.
54
APPLAUS E! APPLAUS E! APPLAUS E! APPLAUS E! APPLAUS E! APPLAUS E!
To the Following!
Iowa FS A Employees who donate Blood or Platelets Regularly:
John Bartenhagen, CED Louisa County 2 gallons (donates platelets)
Dennis Judkins STO FLP Specialist
8 ½ gallons
Judy Dameron Louisa County PT 5 gallons (platelets or aphersis)
Sharon Dunfee Clarke County PT 8 ½ gallons
Jack Stephens Decatu r County PT 8 1/4 gallons
Roma Lancaster Plymouth County PT 8 gallons
Ann Wood Iowa Count y PT 2 ½ gallons
Kathy Boots Benton County PT 5 gallons
Connie Krieger Henry County PT 4 ½ gallons
Sandra Johnson Washington County PT
Carol Strawhacker Des Moines County PT 4 gallons
Vicky Rechkemmer Des Moines County PT
Anna Hornbak er Van Buren County PT 1+ gallons
Tom Veit Buena Vista County FLO 1 gallon
Diane Wise Greene County PT 3 ¼ gallons
Pat Meisel Shelby County PT 8 2/3 gallons
Shirley Manternach Del aware County PT 2 ¾ gallons
Patricia Helmrichs Delaware County PT 1 ½ gallons
Sherry Steger Lucas County PT 4 gallons
Joe Rieck Mahaska County CED 7 gallons
Cindy Bebout Fremont County PT 6 gallons
Robin Rode Kossuth County PT 1 ¾ gallons
Jeanine Diekhuis Hanco ck County PT 4 gallons
Donna Banta Hanco ck County PT 3 gallons
Marcia Upmey er Han cock County PT 5 gallons
Steve Abbas Franklin Count y CED 9+ gallons
Judy Gordon Cherokee County PT 7 gallons
Greg Jobe Ringold County CED 5 gallons
Ellen Danner Ringold CountyPT 5 gallons
Robert Miller Union County FLO 1 ½ gallons
Warren Schuler Montgomery County CED 5 ½ gallons
Roger Holtz Montgomery County FLM 2 ¾ gallons
Sandy Gerlt Montgomery County PT 3 pints
Elizabeth Bruns Sioux County PT 2 gallons
Deb Blom Sioux County PT 5 gallons
Glenda Von Arb Sioux County PT 5 gallons
Joan Schriber Franklin County PT 2 gallons
Nelda Wolthuis Clay County PT 6 ¼ gallons
Mary Lageschulte Id a County PT 2 gallons
Dix ie Schuster Dubuque County PT 25 gallons and has been donating over 35 years!
Mary Agne Cedar County PT 4 ½ gallons
Brian Gossling, STO Farm Loan Chief, 1 gallon
Patricia Christensen Cedar County PT 4 gallons
Leon Kolbet, Chickasaw County PT, 6+ gallons
Mary Smith Muscatine County PT
Denise Winter Chickasaw County PT 2 gallons
Julie Offerman Chickasaw County FLM 5 gallons
Lois Shattuck Chickasaw County PT 2 gallons
Ardela Felper Howard County PT 1 gallon
Nikki Novak Tama County PT 8 ¾ gallons
Teresa Simonton Poweshiek County PT 1 gallon
Jane McCully Poweshiek County PT 1 gallon
Clarinda Evans Marion County PT 8 ½ gallons
Doug Brown Monroe County FLO 6 ½ gallons
Vicky Rechkemmer Des Moines County PT 7 ½ gallons
55
SPOTLIGHT! Barb Onnen Shelby County PT 15 ¾ gallons and has
served as the Shelby County Blood Mobile Chairman for over 20
years!
I guess m y prima ry purpose for wa nting to do an a rticle was to e ncourage more
people to dona te blood (or organs, tissue , bone , e tc.). I don't like to "toot m y own
horn" but I do fee l strongly about blood dona tion.
My nea rly 20 yea rs of voluntee r efforts with the Ame rican Red C ross bloodmobiles
wa s re cruitment of donors and establishing more bloodmobile sites within Shelby
County. I did add six ne w sites with willing voluntee r coordinators from the loca l
community, business, or high school. She lby County has gone from eight
bloodmobiles pe r yea r in 1975 a t five sites to twenty-two bloodmobiles pe r yea r a t
twe lve sites.. This give s e ve ryone the cha nce to dona te some whe re in the county.
Donors a re re cruited for ea ch bloodmobile through phone calls and postca rds to past
donors and poste rs, table tents, ne wspape r a rticles a nd a dve rtisements to encourage
othe rs.
Unfortuna te ly only 5% of the na tional population dona tes blood. Some cannot
dona te be ca use of age or medica l rea sons. Some people a re afra id of needles. But
the re a re ce rta inly more who should try - a t least once . Most people only need to be
pe rsona lly asked. Tha t's how I sta rted dona ting in 1975. In 1975 I was a wa re of
community bloodmobile s but ha d ne ve r given a thought to dona ting. Then someone
asked me to dona te . Be cause of our diffe re nt Rh factors, our youngest could ha ve
been a "blue " baby a nd would ha ve needed a comple te blood tra nsfusion afte r he r
birth in 1971. Fortuna te ly tha t was not needed but in 1975 I asked myself "Whe re
would tha t blood ha ve come from?" I had ne ve r thought of tha t be fore and de cided
to give it a try.
The procedure is quite simple. Be ca use of gove rnment regula tions (we a ll k now
about those don’t we?) conce rning confidentia lity for the donor, the whole process
takes anywhe re from 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Only 5 or 10 m inute s of tha t time is the
a ctua l blood colle ction. The re st is brief medical history questions, temp, blood
pre ssure , finge r prick for hemoglobin count and a gla ss of juice before the dona tion.
You a lso ge t a glass of wa te r, coffee or juice and a sna ck of a sandwich, cook ie or
ba r a fte r the dona tion. You ma y dona te aga in in 56 da ys.
Toda y I see blood dona tions as a responsibility. The re a re as many reasons to
dona te as the re a re donors, but the main focus is an unknown pe rson who needs the
blood to re cove r from a ca lam ity, a ccident, illness or surge ry. Eve ry two se conds,
someone in Ame rican needs blood. One individua l's blood dona tion can he lp up to
three pa tients through sepa ration of va rious components which ca n be adm iniste red
as a spe cialize d trea tments. Blood ca nnot be ha rvested or manufa ctured in the lab it must be dona ted!
Ma ny people sa y the y feel be tte r afte r donating. Some thing about "ne w" blood.
Wouldn't it be gra tifying to know you ma y ha ve helped save someone 's life?
OOPS! Looks like I got on m y soap box.. Tha nks for the opportunity.
Ba rb Onne n
She lby County
56
Donating Platelets
Submitted by: Judy Dameron, PT Louisa County
What are Platelets?
Pla tele ts a re blood ce lls tha t he lp control bleeding. Whe n a blood vesse l is damaged,
pla te le ts colle ct a t the site of the injury and tempora rily re pair the tea r. Pla te lets
the n a ctiva te substa nces in plasma which form a clot and a llow the wound to hea l.
What is A pheresis?
Aphe resis (a y-fur-ee-sis) is a spe cia l k ind of blood donation tha t a llows a donor to
give spe cific blood components, such a s pla te le ts. During the aphe resis procedure,
a ll but the needed blood compone nt a re re turned to the donor.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Blood is dra wn from your a rm through ste rile tubing into a ma chine ca lle d a
centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood to sepa ra te the compone nts. The pla te lets
a re dra wn up into a colle ction bag, while the rema ining blood components (red ce lls
and plasma ) a re re turned to you through anothe r tube. During the re turn process,
you a re also given an anti-coagulant to keep your blood from clotting.
Why is Blood Separated?
Diffe rent pa tie nts need diffe re nt type s of blood components, de pending on the ir
illness or injury. Afte r you dona te whole blood, the unit is sepa ra te d into pla tele ts,
red ce lls a nd pla sma in the laboratory. Only two tablespoons of plate le ts a re
colle cted from a whole blood dona tion. Six whole blood dona tions must be se pa ra ted
and pooled to provide a single pla tele t transfusion. Howe ve r, one aphe re sis dona tion
provide s enough pla te lets for one comple te transfusion -- tha t's six times the
amount colle cted from a whole blood dona tion!!
Who Needs Platelets?
Ma ny lifesa ving medica l trea tments require pla te le t transfusions. Cance r pa tients,
those re ce iving orga n or ma rrow tra nsplants, victims of trauma tic injuries, and
pa tients unde rgoing ope n hea rt surge ry require pla te le t tra nsfusions to survive.
Be cause pla te le ts can be store d for only five da ys, the nee d for pla te le t dona tions is
vast and continuous.
57
Pla tele t transfusions a re needed ea ch yea r by thousands of pa tients like these :
•
•
•
•
Heart surgery patient
6 units
Burn patient
20 units
Organ transplant patient
30 units
Marrow transplant patient
120 units
Who Can Be an A pheresis Donor?
If you mee t the requirements for dona ting blood, you probably can give pla te le ts.
Depending on your pla te le t count, a phe resis donors can dona te once eve ry se ve n
da ys. Howe ve r, you can only dona te 24 times in a yea r. Aphe resis donors must:
•
•
•
•
be a t least 17-yea rs-old
be in good health
we igh a t least 110 pounds
not ha ve taken aspirin or medica tion conta ining aspirin 48 hours prior to
dona ting.
A re A pheresis Donations Safe?
Yes. Ea ch dona tion is closely supe rvised throughout the proce dure by tra ined sta ff.
Only a sma ll pe rce ntage of your pla tele ts a re collecte d, so the re a re no risk s of
bleeding problems. Your body will repla ce the dona ted pla tele ts within 48 hours. The
dona tion equipment (needle , tubing a nd colle ction bags) is ste rile and is disca rded
a fte r e ve ry dona tion, making it virtua lly impossible to contra ct a disease from the
process.
How Long Does it Take?
Depending on your we ight and height, the a ctua l a phe resis dona tion process will
take a pprox imate ly 40 minutes to two hours. You ma y wa tch tele vision, videotape s
or DVDs, or simply sit ba ck and re lax while he lping to sa ve lives.
How Can I Become an A pheresis Donor?
Conta ct your loca l Blood Cente r and ask to make a n appointment to ha ve your blood
dra wn and tested to see if you a re a candida te . An a phe resis donor is a spe cial
pe rson. When you be come a donor, you know you a re helping someone who is in
critica l need of a blood product.
IMPORTANT IASCOE and MWA INFORMATION
M ay be found by going to the www.iascoe.org website
click on the M idwest Area Site icon to reach the M WA site
IMPORTANT NASCOE INFORMATION
May be found by going to the www.iascoe.org website
And then click on the NASCOE home page icon
Or directly at: www.nascoe.org
58
BLOOD DONATIONS
The gift of life that only costs you about one hour of your time and you get
FREE OREOS in return.
I first gave blood several years ago when a friend needed blood and was given credit for
each individual that gave in her name. I was terrified when I went to give but found that
other than a needle poke there was nothing to the process. AND after giving you are
required to drink juice and EAT OREOS (Other cookies are available also)!!! How bad
can that be?
After that my Mother-In-Law needed to have surgery and it was suggested that blood be
donated for her in case it was needed. I donated so she would feel safe if she needed a
transfusion. That was during the time when the safety of blood was really being
questioned. I gave occasionally after that.
In 2002 my husband, David, became ill with lung cancer caused by Agent Orange from
Vietnam. He was treated with chemo and required many blood transfusions. I lost count
of the number of units he required, needing two or three units at a time weekly.
Having someone need blood brought the donation process home to me on a personal
level. We were so very grateful for those who took the time to give blood. Without their
donations I would have lost my husband much sooner than I did. Their gift of blood gave
my husband life.
I now try to give blood regularly – I feel the need to replace those given for David. It is
such a simple process and one of the biggest gifts to others. It is the least I can do.
How many gifts can you give free? This gift can be given every 56 days by anyone over
17 years of age and at least 110 pounds. It takes approximately 1 hour which includes
completing a questionnaire, giving blood and relaxing while enjoying juice and OREOS.
I encourage all to give if they are medically able. The process is quick and simple. The
reward in your heart lasts a lifetime. The OREOS are great.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Wise
Greene County
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MIND GAME ANSWERS
1. Tulips
2. Forget-me-nots
3. Dandelion
4. Rose
5. Daisies
6. Mums
7. Crab Apple
8. Ash
9. Oak
10. Pear
11. Lilies
12. Bachelor Button
13. Weeping Willow
14. Dogwood
15. Pine
16. Banana Orange
17. Gladiola
18. Morning Glory
19. Pine
20. Carnation
21. Cottonwood
22. Fur
23. Four O’Clock
24. Redwood
25. Popular
26. Walnut
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What you need IN retirement!
An income stream that will last for 20-30 years
To keep up with inflation
A plan for withdrawing assets without exhausting savings early
To maximize upside market potential
To protect income from downside risk
What you need BEFORE retirement!
More money! What about 5% bonus sound? Is it possible?
You need to grow your money as much as possible!
You want a bottom line guarantee? How does 7% sound? Can you get
it?
EJ Brown and Associates can help you with all of these issues!
Did you stop and see us at the State Convention?
Have you heard about how we are helping IASCOE Members?
Give us a call and check out our website!
OFFICE: (319) 363-1108
FAX:
(319) 363-1408
Website: ejbrownandassociates.com
Visit us: 645 32ND AVENUE SW, SUITE B
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52404
REGI ST ERED REPRESENT ATIVE OFA
ND SECURIT IES T HROUGH ING FINANCIAL ARTNERS
MEMBER SIPC
EJ BROWN & ASSOCIAT ES IS NOT A SUBSIDIARY OF NOR CONT ROLLED BY
ING FINANCIAL PART NERS, INC.
61
PERILS OF POLLY P.T.
PART 22
Written by Roseanne Woerner
Created by Dee Ann Lehn
I like to make lists. I make them constantly. For instance, right now I am making
a list of things that I absolutely DO NOT want to do. After careful consideration, my list
includes, eating worms, mud wrestling, and stringing barbwire fence. Also, I do not want
to drive to a meeting with Tessa Starr, which is what I happen to be doing today.
Tessa is pretty frantic when we pull into the parking ramp. She grabs the ticket
from the machine and tosses it to me as the arm raises. “Put this in your purse for later,”
she tells me. “I think the hotel stamps it or something.”
We’re already late. We still have to find our meeting room. We haven’t eaten
lunch and we haven’t had a rest room break for almost two hours. The fact that we’re so
crunched for time is making Tessa kind of nutty. She circles the ramp on two wheels,
rams into the first empty spot she sees and then hops out of the car. She runs to the
elevator at breakneck speed and barely waits for me to get in before she pushes the button
for the first floor. We wind our way through the skywalk, pass through door after door
and finally we happen upon the place where we are supposed to be.
I am loaded down. I have a suitcase, a purse, a notebook, two sacks of chips, a
package of cookies, and a well-stocked cooler. There is no way that I can put the parking
ticket in my purse, so I stash it in my pocket for safe-keeping. While I manage to keep
track of the party items for later in the evening, I completely lose track of the ticket. I
don’t blame myself though. I blame Tessa for giving it to me in the first place.
Still, I am stewing and fretting the following day. I checked with the hotel and it
will cost eighteen bucks to bail the car out if I don’t locate the ticket. There is nothing to
do but enlist the aid of several of my closest friends. We’ve spent some time at Happy
Hour, so the gals are willing to give my plan a try. Everything is funny to us right now,
even the fact that Tessa might possibly rip off my head if I don’t find the ticket before we
are ready to check out first thing in the morning.
As per my instructions, the gals assemble on the little platform next to the ticket
machine. I count to three and we all jump. Nothing happens. So, we jump again.
Nothing happens. Five grown women total. One is wearing clogs. Two of them are
wearing strappy sandals. We jump and we jump and we jump again. We have
completely lost our unison and still, the machine-thingy won’t eject a ticket. It’s all so
hysterically funny, to us anyway. Not so, for the two drivers of the cars that we seem to
be blocking. We decide to make another plan in my room and return when traffic dies
down.
This is where we sort of lose our way. Instead of going into the hotel from the
parking ramp, we take the outside street. I think we circle the same few blocks a couple
of times until Keely Spivac finally spies the hotel. “Look,” she says. “It’s over in the
next block. I can see the sign.”
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We’re pretty tired by now and the effervescent feeling that we all shared awhile
ago has completely worn off. We take the elevator to my room on the second floor, but
when we get there, nothing looks familiar. M y room should have been halfway down the
hallway, at least it was when I checked in, but now it’s not. We go back to the elevator,
just to make certain that we’re on the second floor. We see that we are, so we decide that
there must be two elevators.
Hallway after hallway, we finally find my room. I search my purse and find my
key. I slide it through the lock, but the door won’t open. I slide it through again and
again. Finally, Keely says, “Let me try.” That doesn’t work either.
“Did you have it next to your cell phone?” Tammy Anderson says. “It won’t
work if you have it next to a cell phone you know. It has something to do with the
magnet.”
“It wasn’t near my cell phone,” I tell her. I try it again. We all take turns. All
five of us try to make it work. But it won’t. So we troop downstairs. We go to the front
desk. The man behind the desk is a different person than the one who checked me in. He
looks grouchy and tired. I say, “I think my key got de-magnetized somehow because it
won’t work.” I hand him the key.
He turns it this way and that. He says, “What the heck.” He hands it back to me.
“Is this a key for the Plaza House?”
“Yes,” I tell him and I’m pretty indignant by now. “I think I know where I’m
staying.”
“You may know where you’re staying,” he says. “But you don’t know where you
are. The Plaza House is down two blocks that way.”
TO BE CONTINUED….
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Closing Thoughts……..
Subm itted by: De b Esse lman Ba ird…Milita ry Mom from Ta ylor/Price County W isconsin
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many ste ps does the gua rd take during his walk a cross the tomb of the
Unknowns a nd why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor
given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesita te a fte r his about fa ce to begin his re turn wa lk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1
3. Why a re his gloves we t?
His g loves are moistened to prevent his losing his gr ip on the rifle.
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4. Does he ca rry his rifle on the same shoulde r a ll the time, a nd if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. A fter his march
across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the
outside shoulder.
5. How ofte n a re the gua rds change d?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days
a year.
6. Wha t a re the physica l tra its of the gua rd lim ited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10"
and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of
the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a
barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the
rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and
cannot disgrace the uniform (fighting) or the tomb in any way. After two
years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel sig nifying
they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The
guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath
pin.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. A ll
off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in
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A rlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and
where they are interred. Among the notables are: Several Presidents, Joe E.
Lewis (the boxer) and Medal of Honor winner A udie Murphy, of Holly wood
fame (the most decorated soldier of WWII).
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard
duty.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our
US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On
the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers
from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of
guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to
suspend their assignment.
They all respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the
skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that
guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest
honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been
patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
The epitaph reads: "HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN
AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN ONLY TO GOD
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